HIV/AIDS News Digest: May 24, 2011

Here is a quick look at a few HIV/AIDS stories recently reported in the media:

The Erectile Dysfunction/HIV Link in MSM (From The AIDS Beacon)

Recently, researchers from the University of California at San Francisco and the University of California at Davis found that HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) are twice as likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction compared to HIV-negative MSM. They also found that erectile dysfunction was significantly more prevalent in men with advanced HIV and AIDS who were between 40 and 59 years old. Severe lower urinary tract symptoms were also associated with an increased risk for erectile dysfunction.

"Men with HIV, particularly men with HIV who develop AIDS, are more likely to develop erectile dysfunction than similarly aged men who are HIV negative. Sexual wellness is an important quality of life issue that deserves attention and should not be neglected," the study authors Dr. Benjamin Breyer and Dr. Alan Shindel told the AIDS Beacon. They added, "HIV-positive men should be aware that HIV may affect their erections, and that they should consult their physician if they start having problems."

Some other interesting findings were that: HIV-positive MSM were also more likely to use prescription drugs to treat erectile dysfunction; HIV-positive MSM were more likely to engage in riskier sexual behavior; and men who had a steady partner were less likely to report problems with erectile dysfunction.

Missouri Backs Off Use of HIV Client Acknowledgment Form (From The Michigan Messenger)

The Michigan Messenger is back at it again, using its reporting to usher in HIV/AIDS policy changes. This time, its efforts have helped shape change in Missouri.

After a past Michigan Messenger investigation, Missouri is no longer requiring people living with HIV to sign a document acknowledging the state's exposure laws in order for them to qualify for federally funded medical programs.

"That particular form that's used in case management will be eliminated," said Michael Herbert, HIV program director for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. "When [Michigan Messenger] called us it gave us an opportunity to re-evaluate policies and procedures and yeah that is something that is not necessarily required."

Know Where You Stand: New CDC HIV Campaign for Black Gay Men (From BET)

This month, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched a new HIV testing campaign geared toward gay and bisexual African-American men. "Know Where You Stand" is a gay-affirming campaign that wants gay and bisexual black men to know their truth and know more about not only their HIV status, but about the disease in general.

This campaign is the latest component of Act Against AIDS, a five-year CDC communications effort to refocus national attention on the HIV epidemic in the U.S.

Key components of the effort:

• Billboard and bus ads are running in 14 of the cities where gay and bisexual black men are hardest hit by HIV: Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Columbia, Dallas, Detroit, Jackson, Houston, Memphis, Miami, New Orleans, Oakland/San Francisco, Philadelphia and St. Louis.
• A series of online ads are running on Web sites targeting gay black men.
• "Know Where You Stand" messages, materials and HIV testing information will be featured prominently at Black Pride events across the country.
• An upcoming phase of the campaign featuring new advertising creative is slated to launch this fall.

Other HIV/AIDS Articles in the Media

Love Matters: Internet Hookups for Men Don't Always Mean Unsafe Sex (From HealthCanal.com)

Lisa Lampanelli vs. Westboro Baptist Church: Comedian Donates $50,000 to Gay Charity in Church's Name (From The Huffington Post)

States Cut Back Efforts to Provide Drugs for HIV, AIDS (From The Washington Post)

Kellee Terrell is the former news editor for TheBody.com and TheBodyPRO.com.

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