Oral

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM henceforth) experience significantly higher levels of adverse physical and mental health outcomes, including HIV/AIDS, drug and alcohol use, and anxiety and depression, as compared with the general population of men. Termed syndemic outcomes, they may be causally associated with adverse developmental experiences, reflective of societal oppression of gay men, and living conditions. Such experiences and adverse living conditions may be compounded among MSM of color defined as Black or African-American, Latino, Asian, Native American Indian, Pacific Islander, who live within a system of oppression related to race/ethnicity that contributes independently to adverse health outcomes. Conceptualizing the larger social and physical environments of MSM as systems of oppression and opportunity leads to the adoption of three theoretical approaches -- socioecological, intersectionality, and lifecourse -- that may enhance our understanding of how syndemic adverse health outcomes among MSM are produced. A socioecological approach as applied in public health, examines multiple levels of influence (i.e., macro-societal forces, public policies, as well as influences at the neighborhood, institution, community, family, dyad, individual, biologic and genetic levels) on health behavior and health outcomes. Intersectionality, born in socio-legal analysis, is considered a research paradigm that addresses the interactive impact on individuals existing in multiple identity groups (e.g., sexual orientation and race), each of which is subject to systems of oppression. Finally, the lifecourse approach is used in social epidemiology to understand the synergistic impact of multiple living conditions and experiences across the lifecourse, recognizing that exposures occurring as early as in utero and during early childhood can affect health outcomes much later in life. These approaches, each of which focuses on either explaining population health or examining the impact of social group-based systems of oppression, provide a framework for assessing the roles of the larger social and physical environments within which MSM are situated in their health and well-being.

Session Objectives: Describe how social context influences health and well-being among MSM across time and space. Define the full range of factors associated with the health and well-being of MSM Identify new avenues for structural and systems interventions.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)