Men who have sex with men.

HIV impacts men, women and children of all races, genders, ethnicities and sexual identities; however, a disproportionate number of men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to be heavily impacted in the United States. According to the CDC, MSM accounted for 71% of all HIV infections among males in 2005, even though only five to seven percent of adult males identify themselves as MSM (CDC, 2007). In Virginia, half of the diagnosed cases of HIV/AIDS among men, in 2006, were reported among MSM. The MSM community is diverse, comprised of men of all sexual orientations. The term " MSM " should be thought of more in terms of a behavior than denoting sexual preference. Unprotected anal sex, unprotected oral sex and needle sharing are the specific high-risk behaviors to be focused on for prevention efforts with this population. Some specific subpopulations within this group have been identified to target for prevention efforts: MSM living with HIV/AIDS Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment (HAART) has allowed MSM to live longer with HIV. However, more people living longer with HIV increases the potential to transmit HIV through high risk behaviors (CDC, 2007). At the end of 2006, an estimated 6,914 MSM were living with HIV/AIDS in Virginia. This accounts for more than half (52%) of males and 35% of all people living with HIV/AIDS through 2006. Many people who know their HIV status reduce risk behaviors associated with HIV transmission, including MSM (CDC, 2000). As with other populations , this is not true in all cases and some MSM continue to engage in behaviors that put others at risk. In 2006, the CDC released a report of findings from the first data collection period of the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System (NHBS) that concluded, " MSM surveyed engaged in sexual and drug-use behaviors that placed them at increased risk for HIV infection " (CDC,2006c). The purpose of NHBS is to collect risk behavior data from three high risk populations, which includes MSM. Al-Figure 1 Diagnosed cases of HIV/AIDS among MSM (2002-2006) According to the CDC, MSM accounted for 71% of all HIV infections among males in 2005, even though only five to seven percent of adult males identify themselves as MSM (CDC, 2007). At the end of 2006, an estimated 6,914 MSM were living with HIV/AIDS in Virginia. This accounts for more than half (52%) of males and 35% of all people living …