HIV/STD intervention program for African American MSM

African American men-who-have-sex-with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Young African-American MSM accounted for the highest number of new HIV infection among all gay men in 2010. To address this disparity, the CDC has shown an evidence-based intervention program to be effective in addressing the epidemic in the African American gay community.

Some key features of the program:

• The program, Many Men, Many Voices (3MV) has been demonstrated to be effective and sustainable in reducing sexual risk-taking behavior in this community.
• It addresses social determinants of health, such as homophobia, stigma, and discrimination, which can have a direct impact on sexual risk-taking behavior in African American MSM.
• 3MV utilizes group interaction and education to foster positive attitudes and knowledge about HIV/AIDS and other STD’s.
• 3MV has been implemented in various clinical and community settings and proves to be highly effective and culturally relevant model.

Adedotun Ogunbajo, Joint Center Graduate Scholar, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health