231887 Bisexually Active Black Men in the United States and HIV: Time to Think Deeper

Tuesday, November 9, 2010 : 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM

David Malebranche, MD, MPH , Division of General Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
     
HIV is disproportionately impacting Black men who have sex with men and heterosexual women in the United States. Current speculation posits a "bisexual bridge" of HIV transmission connecting these two subpopulations of the Black community. Specifically, bisexually active Black men who identify as heterosexual but do not disclose their same-sex behavior, or "down low" (DL) men, have received the most attention and blame as the primary group fueling this epidemic. This presentation explores the current knowledge and limitations of public health research on bisexually active Black men. Implications for future research initiatives are discussed.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Other professions or practice related to public health
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Discuss the complexities of Black male bisexuality beyond the limited construct of "the Down Low."

Keywords: Bisexual, African American

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the PI on this study. I conduct research exploring the racial, gender, age, and cultural factors that influence black men’s health, particularly with regard to sexual risk behavior and HIV testing practices as well as is an HIV care provider.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

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.

Back to: 4100.0: Bisexual Men and HIV/AIDS: Risk and Beyond