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Abstract #151710

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Richard J. Wolitski, PhD, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton RD NE (E-37), Atlanta, GA 30333, 404 639-1939, rwolitski@cdc.gov, Ronald Valdiserri, MD, MPH, Public Health Strategic Health Care Group (13B), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420, Ron Stall, PhD, Department of Community and Behavioral Health, University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health, 130 deSoto Str, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, and Susan D. Cochran, PhD, MS, Epidemiology, UCLA School of Public Health, Box 951772, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772.

Gay and bisexual men have often been invisible in health disparities research. As a result, the specific needs and experiences of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are often neglected in public health efforts to improve the health and well-being of disadvantaged groups. This symposium synthesizes research on disparities experienced by MSM and makes the case for considering these health threats as part of broader efforts to document, understand, and eliminate health disparities in the United States. The session will be moderated by Dr. Ronald Valdiserri. Dr. Richard Wolitski will present an overview that summaries newly completed reviews of health disparities experienced by MSM, including violent victimization; mental health; substance use; HIV, hepatitis, and other sexually transmitted infections. Presentations by Drs. Susan Cochran and Ronald Valdiserri will provide an in-depth examination of the evidence indicating poorer mental health and increased rates of sexually transmitted infections among MSM compared to their heterosexual peers. These presentations will also identify risk factors for these health problems and identify implications for research and public health practice. In the closing presentation, Dr. Ronald Stall will present a developmental model that links the effects of key stressors experienced by many MSM with negative health outcomes. In addition, he will outline future directions for research and prevention of health disparities among MSM.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify at least 3 health disparities affecting gay, bisexual, and other men in the United States who have sex with men.
• Describe underlying factors that contribute to multiple health disparities affecting gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.
• Articulate future directions for research and public health programs to address health disparities among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.

Keywords: Health Disparities, Gay Men

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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