NPR: Dispatch from Mexico: MSM at Higher Risk

Dispatch from Mexico: MSM at Higher Risk

Douglas Hopper, here. I'm blogging from the International AIDS Conference in Mexico City. I'll be bringing you more about what's taking place here - with 25,000 people from around the world, there's no shortage of things to mention.

"Men who have sex with men have an average 19 times greater chance of being infected with HIV than the general adult male population in low-and middle income countries."

... a fact just presented at a press conference organized by the International AIDS Society and the Global Forum on MSM and HIV.

Criminalization, prejudice, social hostility and human rights abuses are boosting the spread of HIV, according to the presenters.

Dr. Jorge Saavedra, director of Mexico City's National Center for Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS, said the stigma of HIV and homophobia keep many men from seeking tests or treatment. In fact, MSM in Mexico City are 109 times more likely to contract HIV.

Dr. Saavedra is openly gay and has launched an anti-homophobia campaign in the city.

He and several other openly gay public health officials from around the world spoke at the press conference.

In light of my rant about the obscurity of statistics, I'm hoping some of you may have stories to share about how this issue manifests.

... Have you seen this kind of social exclusion in your culture? Are men who have sex with men marginalized in your home country?

Douglas Hopper

5:07 PM ET | 08- 6-2008 | permalink

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