MAY 2008
IN THIS ISSUE
- Sex Diseases in Many Gay Men Go Unfound, Experts Say
- Participants Sought for Three New Studies
- Drug Policy Alliance Releases Report on “Four Pillars” Of Methamphetamine Abuse
- STDs In Gay Men Often Not Diagnosed
- Article Examines Stigma Regarding Coverage of Methamphetamine
- NASTAD Report Highlights Approaches to HIV/AIDS Services in Native American Communities
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Releases Overcoming Obstacles to Health
- The Advocate Looking for Outstanding LGBT Graduates
- Conference on Race, Sex, Power: New Movements in Black and Latina/o Sexualities
- Multicultural Action Center Scholarship for NAMI 2008 Convention
- National Cancer Institute Seeking Members of the Consumer Liaison Group
- Registraion Now Open for AIDSWatch 2008
- Project Coordinator Open at the National LGBT Tobacco Control Network
1. Sex Diseases in Many Gay Men Go Unfound, Experts Say
Many cases of sexually transmitted diseases are escaping detection because gay men are not being tested each year as advised, federal health officials said Wednesday. And if the men do show up, the officials added, many doctors and clinics are not following screening recommendations. But more cases could be detected if the government approved new ways to use a type of DNA test that is already on the market, the officials and researchers said in a news conference at a scientific meeting in Chicago. They said the test, used in new ways, could detect twice as many cases of gonorrhea and chlamydia as standard tests. Those diseases, along with syphilis, whose incidence continues to increase, are “a major threat to gay and bisexual men’s health,” said Dr. Kevin Fenton, a top official of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Fenton noted that such diseases increased the risk of contracting and spreading H.I.V., the virus that causes AIDS.
Screening for sexually transmitted infections is a critical part of medical care for sexually active men. The C.D.C. recommends annual blood tests for H.I.V. and syphilis, and other tests for gonorrhea and chlamydia. Gonorrhea tests should include specimens from all potential sites of exposure — throat, genitals and rectum — because identifying and treating all such infections is essential for preventing spread of the disease. “There are circumstances where the recommendations are not being followed,” said Dr. John M. Douglas Jr., who directs the Division of S.T.D. Prevention at the disease control centers.
Dr. Douglas added that some doctors did not recognize the problem while others seemed to think “that maybe the guidelines do not apply to my patient population.” Supporting evidence came from C.D.C. researchers, who reported three studies at the meeting showing that the screening rates were too low. Dr. Kristen Mahle’s study found that among gay men who showed no symptoms of gonorrhea, more than a third of rectal infections with the disease, and more than a quarter of throat infections, were missed because many were not tested at all anatomical sites of recent exposure. Dr. Eric Tai’s study surveyed non-H.I.V.-positive gay men in 15 cities from 2003 to 2005 and found that only 39 percent reported having been tested for syphilis, and only 36 percent for gonorrhea. Dr. Karen Hoover found that while doctors tested 82 percent of H.I.V.-positive gay men in eight cities for syphilis in 2005, they tested 22 percent or fewer for gonorrhea and chlamydia.
One problem is that public health departments that run sexual disease clinics do not have adequate staffs and budgets to do comprehensive testing. “Let’s be honest, resources are a challenge at a federal, state and local level,” said Dr. Douglas, of the disease control centers. “We are trying to be as innovative as we can with public health resources,” but “we need help from others.”
Another problem is that newer tests are not being used as much as they should be, Dr. Douglas said. The DNA test that Dr. Douglas and others described as promising is called NAAT, for nucleic acid amplification test. It is generally more accurate and easier to use, and it can detect at least twice as many gonorrhea and chlamydia infections in the throat and rectum, according to studies by Dr. Julius Schachter of the University of California, San Francisco, and others. Moreover, it is faster than the traditional bacterial culture tests.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved three NAATs to screen for gonorrhea and chlamydia in the genitalia, but not the throat or rectum. Dr. Schachter’s team, which included the San Francisco Department of Public Health, sought to determine whether the marketed NAATs were also effective in throat and rectal screening.
The C.D.C. is working with the food and drug agency and with test manufacturers to gather, analyze and coordinate the submission of data for federal approval of NAATs for use in the throat and rectum. The San Francisco Department of Public Health has conducted a study that met F.D.A. requirements for such use. Now the health department uses NAATs to test for chlamydia and gonorrhea at all three anatomic sites.
2. Participants Sought for Three New Studies
Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3)
Developed by The American Cancer Society, the purpose of CPS-3 is to better understand the lifestyle, behavioral, environmental and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer and to ultimately eliminate cancer as a major health problem for this and future generations. The ultimate goal is to enroll 500,000 adults from various racial/ethnic backgrounds from across the U.S. Men and women between the ages of 30 and 65 years who have no personal history of cancer are invited to join. We are actively reaching out to the LGBT community.
Participants will be followed for at least 20 years. You will be contacted every two years with mailed questionnaires to answer. While you may be in the study for many years, we expect the amount of time it will take you to answer a questionnaire to be minimal (about 45 minutes for the follow-ups) For more information, email cps3@cancer.org or go to http://www.cancer.org/docroot/RES/RES_6_6.asp or call toll-free 1-888-604-5888.
Sexual Wellbeing in Breast Cancer Survivors
Researchers at Boston University are seeking lesbian, bisexual women and women who partner with women for a study on sexual wellbeing and breast cancer survivorship. Participants will receive $20 for the completion of a one-time mail survey involving questions about sexual health, physical health and relationship status.
At this time, they are enrolling lesbian and bisexual women who have had a breast cancer diagnosis. They are also enrolling lesbian and bisexual women over the age of 40 who have not had a breast cancer diagnosis. Participation requires 5 minutes for a brief screening interview by phone and approximately 30 minutes to complete a survey; materials are provided for mailing the survey back to Boston University. For more information, contact Mairead Sullivan at 877-414-1399 or women@bu.edu
How Breast Cancer Patients Navigate Fertility Concerns and Treatment Options
Northwestern University's Department of Sociology invites women who have been diagnosed with or who have had breast cancer to participate in an interview-based study. Participants will be interviewed about their fertility concerns, family life and future family plans. The project will also look at how doctors and patients discuss these issues. The findings will help to develop educational materials for physicians and patients regarding the concerns, experiences and treatment options related to cancer-related infertility among women with breast cancer.
All women between the ages of 18 to 40 with a history of breast cancer are eligible (both pre and post treatment). A key concern of the project is that women from all backgrounds, racial/ethnic groups and sexual orientations are represented. Participation will involve a 60-90 minute phone interview. For more information, contact Dr. Karrie Ann Snyder, karrie-snyder@northwestern.edu or 847/467-0517
3. Drug Policy Alliance Releases Report on “Four Pillars” Of Methamphetamine Abuse
The Drug Policy Alliance has released A Four Pillars Approach to Methamphetamine: Policies for Effective Drug Prevention, Treatment, Policing and Harm Reduction. Four locations are praised for their innovative approaches: California, New Mexico, Utah and Vancouver. In addition to the aforementioned areas, the report includes information for subpopulations, including gay men. The report is available at http://www.drugpolicy.org/docUploads/FourPillarsMethamphetamine.pdf
4. STDs In Gay Men Often Not Diagnosed
A recent New York Times article reported that officials from the CDC report that many sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in gay men are not being detected because gay men are not being going to their healthcare provider annually and, when they do go, their providers are not properly screening them. The officials recommended that the government approve new ways to use existing STD tests, that men are tested annually and the healthcare providers do complete screenings. The officials also stated that testing must be done at all sites of exposure: throat, genitals and rectum.
Officials also discussed the need for more resources for outreach, testing and treatment. “Let’s be honest, resources are a challenge at a federal, state and local level,” said Dr. John M. Douglas Jr., who directs the Division of STD Prevention at the CDC.
5. Article Examines Stigma Regarding Coverage of Methamphetamine
An article in the March 2008 edition of the American Journal of Men's Health by Joseph Schwartz and Julie L. Andsager examines differences in the coverage of methamphetamine depending on the sexual orientation of the users. They analyzed stories from 13 urban newspapers in cities with large populations of gay men. In stories featuring gay men, sexual health was the dominant frame closely followed by crime. In stories featuring heterosexuals, crime was the main focus. To view the article, please see the American Journal of Men's Health.
6. NASTAD Report Highlights Approaches to HIV/AIDS Services in Native American Communities
On March 20, the National Association of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) released Technical Assistance Report: Activities to Address HIV/AIDS in Native American Communities. This report is in response to the persistent need to address HIV/AIDS in Native American communities. The report includes strategies and approaches state health departments and Native American communities have undertaken to address key issues impacting the provision of HIV/AIDS services in Native American communities and will form the basis for ongoing sharing via NASTAD’s online resource bank. The full report is available online at http://nastad.org/Docs/Public/InFocus/2008324_NA_Report_FINAL_032408.pdf
7. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Releases Overcoming Obstacles to Health
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) has released a report, titled Overcoming Obstacles to Health, that presents a framework for the RWJF’s Commission to Build a Healthier America. The Commission is expected to release a report in spring of 2009 recommending public and private policies and programs to improve health across income, education, socioeconomic and racial/ethnic groups. Overcoming Obstacles to Health focuses on the impact of health disparities across the lifespan and examines steps beyond medical care in impacting these disparities. To view the report, please go to the Commission website.
8. The Advocate Looking for Outstanding LGBT Graduates
The Advocate is looking for five outstanding LGBT graduates who are creating post-graduate projects and organizations designed to benefit the LGBT community. The Advocate’s Pride issue will highlight the five winners and their projects. Applications should include the following information: student’s name, school, area of study (if applicable) and answer these questions: what is the project; how will it make an impact on the LGBT community; what is the time frame for getting this project up and running; and how will the student’s project be funded? To enter or for more information, please contact graduates@advocate.com. The deadline is April 11, 2008.
9. Conference on Race, Sex, Power: New Movements in Black and Latina/o Sexualities
Faculty from nine universities and colleges will hold the largest ever conference on black and Latina/o sexuality on April 11-12 at the University of Illinois at Chicago. “Race, Sex, Power: New Movements in Black and Latina/o Sexualities,” the culmination of more than two years of planning, will bring together academics, activists and artists to address topics ranging from intimacy and desire to HIV/AIDS and teen pregnancy to humor and Hip Hop.
Sponsored by the participating universities with major funding from the Ford and Arcus Foundations, “Race, Sex, Power” aims to set a new agenda for studying, organizing, writing, and developing policy about sexuality. The conference program takes sexuality and race in all their complexity. Panels and speakers selected from hundreds of submissions will cover, among other things: media, migration and immigration, religion and spirituality, sexual tourism, reproductive rights, transgender, community organizing, gay and lesbian civil rights, poverty, social class, age and the sex industry.
For more information, please see the conference website or contact racesexpower08@gmail.com.
10. Multicultural Action Center Scholarship for NAMI 2008 Convention
The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) Multicultural Action Center is happy to announce the availability of financial support to consumers and family members who would like to participate in the NAMI Annual Convention from June 13 to 16 in Orlando, Florida. The purpose of the scholarships is to provide support for NAMI members with interest in multicultural issues to attend the Convention.
Scholarships will be awarded up to $500 to cover the Convention registration fee and a portion of your airfare or hotel. Please note that the $500 stipend will cover only a portion of total convention costs. Scholarship amounts will be reimbursed upon submission of original receipts (Convention registration, airfare, or hotel) AFTER the Convention.
All scholarship recipients are required to submit a 1-page Convention report. The deadline for submitting scholarship reimbursements is Monday June 30. Simply fill out the application form, complete all components and provide one letter of recommendation. Completed applications are due April 10. Contact Marin Swesey at marin@nami.org or 703-600-1108 if you would like a Word version of the application or have any questions. Details about the convention can be found at the convention web site.
11. National Cancer Institute Seeking Members of the Consumer Liaison Group
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is accepting applications for up to six new members of the NCI Director's Consumer Liaison Group (DCLG). The DCLG consists of 16 consumer advocates who are involved in cancer advocacy and who reflect the diversity among those whose lives are affected by cancer. The mission of the DCLG is to advise, assist, consult with and make recommendations to the NCI Director, from the perspective and viewpoint of cancer consumer advocates on a wide variety of issues, programs and research priorities. Applications must be postmarked by April 15, 2008. For more information, including eligibility criteria, please see go to http://mcsv.net/cgi-bin/redir?MCid=atu9tauPY0fhZQVA8iga
12. Registraion Now Open for AIDSWatch 2008
April 28-30th is AIDSWatch, the largest annual constituent-based federal HIV/AIDS advocacy and education event. Participants include people living with HIV and AIDS, their families, friends, care providers and other advocates. AIDSWatch is a project of the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA). To learn more and register go to: http://mcsv.net/cgi-bin/redir?MCid=EGEVMaMKkSfhZQVA8iga
13. Project Coordinator Open at the National LGBT Tobacco Control Network
The National LGBT Tobacco Control Network is hiring a project coordinator. Ideal candidate would have great organizing experience, strong interest in fighting Big Tobacco, experience engaging and working with diverse community groups, and a desire to build national leadership skills in this arena.
Multi-lingual and underrepresented population candidates are encouraged to apply. The position is housed in Fenway Community Health, a Boston area LGBT-focused federally qualified community health center with a $15 million dollar budget, strong research activities and a great staff.
For application information and position description, please see the Network's website.
APRIL 2008
IN THIS ISSUE
- Health Week Events Planned for Capital District
- Canadian Gay Marriage Recognized in New York State
- Survey on Gay and Lesbian Experiences with Health Care
- Treatment Admissions for Methamphetamine, Prescription Drug and Marijuana Abuse on the Rise
- New Report on Advocating for Rectal Microbicides
- The LGBTQ Meaningful Care Conference
- NBJC Presents the Power of Us National Conference
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