CDC numbers on MSM unaware of HIV+ status

Link: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5937a2.htm?s_cid=mm5937a2_w

HIV rates in the USA among men who have sex with men (MSM) is cited to be 11.8%. Conducting interviews and tests in locations with high expected concentrations of MSM, mostly bars (45% of locations) and dance clubs (22% of locations), 19 or 20% of MSM were HIV positive. Of those who tested positive, an alarming 44% were not aware of their status prior to the test. 63% of those aged 18 to 29 who tested positive weren't aware they were infected.

So what's the answer? What will you do, and what should be done at a larger level?

 

The CDC clearly indicates the limitations of its study but many news and commentary outlets are getting it wrong. The flaw lies in making unjustified claims such as the Advocate's opening "Nineteen percent of gay and bisexual men in major U.S. cities have HIV, but half of those infected are unaware they carry the virus, according to a government study." If one reads the CDC report one will know this not to be the full story.

Even with the limitations the report raises some interesting points and questions. Policy-wise those with health insurance or had visited a health care provider in the past year were more likely to know their HIV+ status. Was it a sampling flaw or is there a good reason why the awareness was so low in Baltimore, Detroit, and Philadelphia? Why is the cited value of the HIV rate across the US for MSM (11.8%) more than 23 times that of the overall population (including MSM, and other high risk populations)? Why would the younger crowd be least likely to know their reactive status?

As the proverb goes, "charity starts at home"; so bring on the condoms and regular testing if one is sexually active.