Scottie Roche

The CDC recently published its long awaited study "Condom Effectiveness for HIV Prevention by Consistency of Use among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in the U.S." Surprisingly this was the first first major study of the effectiveness of condoms in MSM anal sex since 1989. The new study's findings may surprise you but are consistent with the findings of the earlier study: 

"In the analysis, which had been presented earlier at the 2013 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), the CDC researchers found that "among MSM reporting any anal sex with an HIV-positive male partner, we found 70% effectiveness with reported consistent condom use (compared to never use) and no significant protection when comparing sometimes use to never use."

If we are going to combat the damage HIV does in our communities we have to educate ourselves on the effectiveness of condoms. Many of us believe condoms are 100% effective at preventing HIV infection and that just isn't the case. When people are diagnosed they get stigmatized as being promiscuous or we demonize them as being "stupid" for not using protection. Many roll their eyes whenever they hear a positive person says they always used condoms. It's important to have an honest assessment of the real risk still present even with consistent condom use, and push for early diagnosis and treatment. Treatment is an incredibly powerful prevention tool as it stops the spread of infection.

Today we also have PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis), which boasts a proven 95-98% effectiveness against HIV transmission when taken daily and consistently. But many who seek this important preventative medicine are stigmatized and shamed for wanting additional means to protect their health even by the doctors who are charged with keeping them healthy. They are told they should just use condoms. Would you trust a condom where 30% of it was missing, is 70% good enough?

We should be cognizant of the possibility of a gap between white gay men adopting PrEP and people of color who don't have access to this tool for socio-economic reasons, lack of healthcare, stigmatization, lack of awareness, etc. We have the tools to make a huge dent in the number of HIV infections affecting MSM and Trans POCs. If we don't work towards closing it we'll see even greater levels of disproportionate negative outcomes affecting communities of color. It's time to stop fixating on condoms and start talking about Prevention Justice. 

Putting “NEG UB2” on your Grindr the extent of your HIV Prevention Strategy?

The CDC estimates that nearly 1 in 6 individuals living with HIV doesn’t even know they are infected.

You and/or your sex partners may have recently tested negative for HIV but might actually be infected. It can take 2-8 weeks before a standard HIV test can detect HIV. Sometimes the window before HIV can be detected can be even longer. You should repeat an HIV test 3 months after possible exposure.

Get tested regularly (every three to six months) and use condoms to protect yourself and others. Depending on your risk factors you might want to consider combining condoms and PReP — A once daily pill that when taken as directed can lower your chances of becoming infected with HIV by upwards of 90%

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Free and Confidential HIV Testing and Counseling at APICHA Community Health Center in Chinatown

To schedule an HIV test or learn more about PrEP call: 1.866.274.2429

APICHA Community Health Center 400 Broadway (Entrance on 70 Walker Street) New York, NY 10013 Directions: http://bit.ly/1lGsYhY

Low HIV testing rates among Asian and Pacific Islanders has meant a further progression of the disease at diagnosis. HIV treatment has improved vastly in terms of health outcomes in recent years but it's important to detect and treat early. 

Unfortunately language, cultural barriers, and fears over immigration status have contributed to an underutilization of testing and other preventative services among Asians and Pacific Islanders. 

In NYC, APICHA Community Health Center provides Free and Confidential HIV Testing and Counseling in Japanese & Mandarin as well as English and Spanish. APICHA has a strong record of providing culturally competent health services to the Asian and Pacific Islander their families of any race and the wider LGBT community.   To Schedule an HIV test: 1.866.274.2429 APICHA Community Health Center  400 Broadway (Entrance on 70 Walker Street) New York, NY 10013 Directions: http://bit.ly/1lGsYhY Web: http://bit.ly/1r68Xp4 Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1iywZ4y Twitter: http://bit.ly/QeWUaJ Foursquare: http://4sq.com/NA6C5P

April is National Minority Health Month #NMHM This year's theme, Prevention is Power: Taking Action for Health Equity seeks to call attention to the critical role prevention plays in reducing health disparities in minority communities. For LGBT individuals of color getting tested for HIV, utilizing condoms and educating ourselves and others about risks and prevention strategies like #PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) are some of the ways we can help keep our communities healthy and eliminate health disparities.

If you're interested in free & confidential HIV testing, primary care or if you're looking to learn more about PrEP:

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