State and local public health prevention activities directed toward Black MSM

Issues: Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) are disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS in the U.S. Data from a CDC-sponsored study of MSM in five urban areas showed that almost half of BMSM who were tested were HIV-positive. Interventions targeted toward BMSM are greatly needed in order to effectively combat the epidemic. Description: The National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) implemented a survey of state and local health departments (N=47) to gauge the level of resources directed toward BMSM, and document prevention activities. To supplement the survey, interviews were conducted with state & local AIDS Directors, health department staff, and leaders of community-based organizations (CBOs) working with BMSM in ten high incidence states (California, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Texas, and Washington, D.C.). Details regarding the efforts of health departments and the communities that they serve were gleaned through interviews with over 50 participants. Lessons Learned: Funding for prevention activities targeting BMSM was limited, and was identified as a barrier to effective intervention. A primary facilitator to prevention efforts was the presence of culturally competent providers and interventions. Several jurisdictions reported implementing “homegrown” interventions in order to create culturally-based prevention and treatment programs targeting BMSM. Other findings relevant to effectively intervening with BMSM were documented. Recommendations: State and local health departments should engage in efforts to support the development and implementation of promising culturally-based intervention efforts directed toward BMSM, and are encouraged to support CBOs through sharing “best practice” exemplars.