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
- Symposia on HIV/AIDS in Specific Populations
- Job Opportunities in California, Oregon, and New York City
Health Week Events Planned for Capital District
The National Coalition for LGBT Health [www.lgbthealth.net] has declared April 6 through 12 as National LGBT Health Awareness Week. As a member of the Coalition and a participant in the week's activities, RAI is scheduling a series of seminars on topics relating to LGBT Health featuring professionals in a variety of related fields. These seminars are free and open to all LGBT community members, their friends, allies, and all others interested in or concerned about these issues. Please check the RAI web site for details
2. Canadian Gay Marriage Recognized in New York State
A State Supreme Court justice, ruling in a divorce proceeding, has recognized the Canadian marriage of two New York City women, known publicly as Beth R. and Donna M. ' or Mom and Mommy to the two young children they had been raising together. Less than two years after New York's highest court refused to legalize gay marriage, leaving it up to a divided Legislature, courts in Rochester and Manhattan, as well as state and local officials, have begun to carry out what some say is the de facto legalization of gay marriage ' and gay divorce ' in New York for the price of, say, a ticket to Toronto. Advocates for same-sex marriage say the two court decisions last month granting reciprocity in New York to gay marriages in other jurisdictions simply underline what most people would consider common sense.
'If a heterosexual couple got married in France and then came here, they would be married,' said Jeffrey Wicks, a lawyer who represented Ms. Martinez in cooperation with the New York Civil Liberties Union. 'We recognize foreign marriages, just the same as we recognize Mexican divorces.' Both rulings are being appealed, and the Alliance Defense Fund, a national organization opposed to same-sex marriage, has gone to court to challenge policy decisions by the Westchester County executive, the state comptroller and the state Civil Service Department granting benefits to gay couples married out of state.
On March 3rd, a State Supreme Court justice in Albany upheld the Civil Service Department's authority to recognize gay marriage, citing the Martinez decision as a precedent.
[from The New York Times, March 6, 2008]
3. Survey on Gay and Lesbian Experiences with Health Care
A new survey is measuring gay men and lesbians' experiences with coming out or not coming out to health care providers. Participation requires filling out an online survey. The survey takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. The survey is anonymous, meaning that your responses cannot be traced to you. Individuals who complete the survey can choose to be entered into a drawing for one of ten $25 cash prizes.
Any individual may take the survey, and no person will be denied access to completing the survey. However, this survey is designed to gather the health care experiences of individuals who identify as same-gender-oriented (e.g., lesbian, gay). Participants who identify as bisexual, transgender or intersex may feel that there are additional experiences that they have had with health care providers that are not asked about in this survey. To participate in this study, please visit https://webtools.uiuc.edu/survey/Secure?id=755190.
Contact Jorja Jamison, M.S. or Dr. Lydia Buki (217-265-5491) if you have any questions. You may also contact the Bureau of Educational Research (217-333-3023) or the Institutional Review Board at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (217-333-2670) for information about the rights of human subjects.
4. Treatment Admissions for Methamphetamine, Prescription Drug and Marijuana Abuse on the Rise
In a report released February 15, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) noted that treatment admissions for methamphetamine, prescription drug and marijuana use are increasing. While the largest share of admissions continues to be for alcohol abuse, the percentage of treatment admissions primarily due to methamphetamine/amphetamine tripled from 3 percent in 1996 to 9 percent in 2006. Importantly, the criminal justice system was the principal source of referral for 55 percent of all the treatment admissions for methamphetamine/amphetamine abuse.
This data is collected from the Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) 2006 Highlights report. Unfortunately, TEDS does not collect sexual orientation or gender identity information, so we are unable to ascertain the exact levels of particular treatment access patterns in the LGBT community. However, anecdotal and some city based data shows the gay and bisexual men are significantly more like to use methamphetamine.
The report is available at http://oas.samhsa.gov/teds2k6highlights/TOC.cfm or by calling SAMHSA's Health Information Network at 1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727) and asking for publication number SMA-08-4313.
5. New Report on Advocating for Rectal Microbicides
On February 24th, the International Rectal Microbicide Advocates (IRMA) released Less Silence, More Science: Advocacy to Make Rectal Microbicides a Reality. This report serves as an authoritative reference on recent developments and current efforts in rectal microbicide research, and describes global challenges, and key advocacy goals and strategies to advance scientific discovery on topical rectal products conferring protection against HIV transmission. Rectal microbicides are products that could be available in the form of a cream, gel, douche or enema that may be used to reduce a person's risk for HIV infection from anal intercourse without a condom or provide additional protection with condoms. To read the report, please visit http://www.aidschicago.org/rectalmicrobicides/news.php.
6. The LGBTQ Meaningful Care Conference
The National Black Justice Coalition proudly presents The Power of Us National Convention (April 24-25-26, 2008). This annual gathering convenes the nation's preeminent thinkers to highlight Black LGBT people. NBJC is expecting between 500-1,000 people to attend the conference from all over the United States and other countries. Attendees represent all sectors and demographic groups in our movement, including young and senior activists, organizers and activists, staff members at LGBT political and/or community organizations, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex advocates and straight allies, and leaders of campus communities. For more information on the conference, please visit http://nbjcoalition.org/.
7. NBJC Presents the Power of Us National Conference
Kaiser Family Foundation has released a new report tracking whether individuals at different economic levels who do not have employer-sponsored health coverage or coverage through public insurance programs such as Medicaid or Medicare buy individual coverage. It does not assess the reasons why people do not purchase non-group insurance. The analysis finds that relatively few people at lower incomes purchase non-group coverage: only one in 20 uninsured adults with incomes at the federal poverty level ($18,660 for a family of four in 2003 dollars) purchased independent insurance. As income increases, the coverage rate increases, though even at four times the poverty level, only about a quarter of individuals purchased coverage. Among those with incomes at least 10 times the poverty level, only about half purchased coverage in the non-group market.
The analysis uses information on income and health insurance coverage from the Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys' (MEPS) Household Component for the years 2000 through 2003. It looked at adults ages 19 to 64 who faced a choice between purchasing non-group coverage and going without health insurance.
8. Symposia on HIV/AIDS in Specific Populations
The National Minority AIDS Education and Training Center and the Howard University College of Medicine are presenting two symposia on HIV/AIDS in special and minority populations. The first, HIV and Minorities: Cultural Competence and the Quality of Care Symposium, and the second, Emerging HIV/AIDS Issues & Challenges in Specific Populations Seminar, will be on March 28th and 29th respectively. Both will be held at the Four Points Hotel by Sheraton in Washington, DC. For more information, please visit http://www.nmaetc2008symposium.info/emerging.htm.
9. Job Opportunities in California, Oregon, and New York City
California
Equality California and its sister organizations (Equality California Institute and Equality California PAC) share a common mission to ensure and promote dignity, safety and equality for all LGBT Californians. The Network Coordinator reports to the Director of Government Affairs. The Coordinator's primary responsibility will be the day-to-day management of the LGBT Health and Human Services Network (The Network). The Network is a new statewide coalition of LGBT-specific and LGBT-supportive nonprofit groups and organizations that provide health and human services to LGBT Californians and their families. By focusing on non-HIV/AIDS related health needs, Network members will work diligently with California state and local government to recognize the continuum of health care in LGBT communities. The Network will be coordinated and administered by the Equality California Institute (EQCAI). This full-time position will be based in Sacramento, San Francisco or Los Angeles, California. To apply, e-mail cover letter and resume with 'Network Coordinator' in subject line to alice@eqca.org, fax to the attention of Alice Kessler at (916) 442-4616, or mail to Equality California, 1127 11th Street, Suite 208, Sacramento, CA 95814. Please submit applications no later than March 7, 2008.
Oregon
Multnomah County Health Department in Oregon is currently seeking a confident public health physician to serve as Deputy Health Officer in the newly formed Tri-County Regional Health Officer Program'a new cooperative effort to provide health officer services to the local health departments serving the Portland Oregon metropolitan area. The Deputy Health Officer participates in and provides leadership across a wide range of public health activities. This position will primarily provide services in Clackamas and Washington counties, but will include duties in all three counties, as well as regional responsibilities. There will be limited opportunities to provide health care for patients in specific public health programs. The position does not include providing general primary care or specialty medical care. See full job announcement at http://agency.governmentjobs.com/multnomah/default.cfm?action=viewjob&JobID=923. For more info contact, please contact Gary Oxman, MD, MPH (503-988-3674).
New York City
Founded in 1994, the mission of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (NLIRH) is to ensure the fundamental human right to reproductive health for Latinas, their families, and their communities through public education, policy advocacy and community mobilization. NLIRH seeks an experienced, resourceful and innovative individual with strong leadership skills and advanced analytical abilities to coordinate a two-year research project designed to advance and protect the reproductive health and rights of Latinas. The ideal candidate will possess the ability to structure and execute components of research conducting rigorous quantitative and qualitative data analysis and communicating findings effectively both verbally and in writing. The ideal candidate will also demonstrate an exceptional commitment to accuracy and attention to detail and the ability to work collaboratively as well as independently. Qualifications include a master's degree or PhD candidate with 1-2 years of work experience in non-profit sector required; proficiency with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint; knowledge of, and comfort with, statistics and statistical software (SPSS preferred); bilingual: Spanish and English and commitment to working with diverse communities; commitment to reproductive health and rights; adherence to schedules and budgets; and originality, creativity and professionalism. Salary is commensurate with experience. NLIRH offers a range of benefits for full-time employees. Please send cover letter, resume and writing sample to nlirh@latinainstitute.org (as a Word Document or PDF attachment) or via fax at 212.422.2556.
DECEMBER 2007
IN THIS ISSUE
- San Francisco Universal Health Care Successful
- STD Numbers Continue to Rise, Especially Among MSM
- Kaiser Offers Two Great New Resources
- Participants Needed for Study on Youth 18 to 24 Years Old with Same-Sex Attraction
- New Spanish Language Meth Site for Latino Gay and Bisexual Men
- Advocates for Youth Offers Funding/Support for Working with GLBTQ Youth of Color
- HIV Rate Likely to Be Raised
- Male Circumcision Does Not Offer HIV Protection for U.S. Black, Hispanic MSM
- KFF Offers Free Resource on Health in the Election
- Program Offers Free Computers and Trainings
- Kellogg Health Scholars Program Seeking Applicants
1. San Francisco Universal Health Care Successful
San Francisco's new public health care program, Healthy San Francisco, seeks to cover all 82,000 uninsured city residents within its first 18 months to two years. Since the program started, nearly 5,000 residents have enrolled, more than doubling the original estimates of city officials. Culturally competent planning and marketing are at the root of this success, and a focus on prevention will mean participants receive some of the most progressive care in the country.
Healthy San Francisco is designed to be accessible and appealing to the wide range of communities in this diverse city. Most localities rely on raw medical data, such as weight, cholesterol and other standard information, to design a public health care plan and match participants with providers. In San Francisco, however, 'medical professionals also are taking into account patients' race, gender, age, sexual orientation, native language and other demographics in marketing the plan and providing the best medical care once they enroll,' according to a recent article in the San Francisco Chronicle. Proof of citizenship, employment, and pre-existing conditions are not considered for eligibility, and participants pay a quarterly premium and co-payments on a sliding scale.
In contrast to most health care plans that provide services only once a person is sick, participants in Healthy San Francisco are served by primary care facilities that focus on preventive care. They also have access to a wide-range of necessary services, including mental health care and substance abuse treatment. Completing this package, Healthy San Francisco provides coverage for medications.
To learn more about the program, please see Healthy San Francisco.
2. STD Numbers Continue to Rise, Especially Among MSM
On November 13th, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its 2006 Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance Report. The report shows that the number of newly diagnosed cases of the three most common diagnosed STDs (Chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis) continue to rise. According to Dr. John M. Douglas Jr., director of the CDC's division of STD prevention, 'In 2006, almost two-thirds, 64 percent of cases were among MSM. Given that syphilis can increase HIV risk, these data are of particular concern because they could indicate increased risk for HIV transmission.'
To learn more, please see the CDC's 2006 Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance Report.
3. Kaiser Offers Two Great New Resources
The Kaiser Family Foundation is offering two new resources. The first is a tutorial on how to effectively work with the media, including how to frame messages on health issues. The second is a fellowship directory, which is a catalog of health policy fellowships for undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals.
4. Participants Needed for Study on Youth 18 to 24 Years Old with Same-Sex Attraction
Participants are sought for a study on youth ages 18 to 24 who experience same-sex attraction. Participants must be United States citizens who are 18 to 24 years old and answer 'yes' to one of the four questions:
- Are you physically or romantically attracted to people of your sex?
- Have you had physically intimate or sexual experiences with people of your sex?
- Do you have romantic or sexual fantasies about people of your sex?
- Do you identify yourself as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or queer?
For more information or to participate, please see the survey. To speak with the lead researcher, please contact Shauna McCarthy, Graduate Student in Clinical Psychology, at (419) 320-2518 or via email.
5. New Spanish Language Meth Site for Latino Gay and Bisexual Men
Tweaker.org has launched a Spanish-language website created for Latino gay and bisexual men who use crystal methamphetamine. The website features information such as Crystal 101, Crystal and Your Body, Crystal and Your Life and Crystal and Sex. According to Pedro Arista, a health educator with San Francisco AIDS Foundation, 'We wanted Tweaker.org Espanol to be more than just a translation of tweaker.org. By working closely with leaders in the San Francisco Latino community, we developed an innovative resource that is sensitive to the needs and interests of Latino men.'
To view the web site, please click here.
6. Advocates for Youth Offers Funding/Support for Working with GLBTQ Youth of Color
Through Advocates for Youth's Homophobia Project, organizations may receive culturally relevant publications and materials on HIV/STI and teen pregnancy prevention programming for GLBTQ youth; strategic technical assistance and training; and a seed grant in the amount of $7,000 to create safe spaces for GLBTQ youth of color 13-24 years old and redress homophobia within the local community, including schools and agencies.
The deadline to apply is December 6, 2007. Visit Advocates for Youth to learn more and download the application.
7. HIV Rate Likely to Be Raised
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has yet to release official numbers, advocates are predicting that at least 35 percent more Americans are infected with AIDS than was previously reported by the government. The original estimate was about 40,000 new HIV cases in the nation each year. However, advocates are claiming that the new estimate is 55,000 or higher. The official numbers are expected early next year.
The estimated number of new infections has been constant at 40,000 for the past decade. Advocates are stating that the expected increase is due in part to a decline in federal funding for HIV prevention in recent years. Regardless of the new numbers, 'this shows that prevention efforts are insufficient,' stated Julie Davids, executive director of CHAMP (the Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project).
In 2005 (the last year for which numbers are available), the estimated number of people diagnosed with AIDS was 40,608. The total number of people living with AIDS in the U.S. was at 952,629.
As of this writing, bipartisan negotiations over the provisions of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP) have not yet produced a bill that can appease the demands of both parties. Lawmakers of both the Democratic and Republican parties have been working to counter the president's veto of the bill, which requires a two-thirds majority in Congress to override.
8. Male Circumcision Does Not Offer HIV Protection for U.S. Black, Hispanic MSM
A study from Greg Millett of the CDC and his colleagues has shown that male circumcision does not appear to offer any protection against HIV for black and Hispanic men who have sex with men (MSM). The study surveyed 1,079 black and 957 Hispanic MSM residing in Los Angeles, New York City and Philadelphia. Circumcised black and Hispanic MSM were as likely to become HIV-positive as those who were uncircumcised. In addition, circumcision was not shown to offer a protective benefit for a subset of black MSM who recently had sex with female partners or among MSM 'reporting recent unprotected sex with a male partner in whom they were exclusively the insertive male partner,' Millett said. He added, 'Overall, we found no association between circumcision status and HIV infection status.'
9. KFF Offers Free Resource on Health in the Election
The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) is offering Health08.org, a gathering place for information about health and the election. This includes original content produced by Kaiser and easy access to health-related resources from the campaigns, other organizations and news outlets.
For more information, please see http://health08.org/.
10. Program Offers Free Computers and Trainings
The National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of AIDS Research (OAR) are pleased to announce the 2008 Equal Access Initiative (EAI) Computer Grants Program. Qualified community-based organizations in the United States, its territories and possessions are invited to submit an application to receive one of 100 state-of-the-art desktop computers.
This year, in partnership with the National Library of Medicine, NMAC expanded the scope of the program to include a series of trainings held at the 2007 United States Conference on AIDS (USCA). This program will continue in 2008, awarding grantees a scholarship package that includes registration for the 2008 USCA, a travel credit and an invitation to the three hour comprehensive training course to familiarize them with reliable online health information from government and other reputable resources that address HIV/AIDS and related medical conditions.
Applications will be due on or before February 7, 2008. For more information please see http://www.nmac.org/nmac2/PDF/EAIBrochure2008.pdf.
11. Kellogg Health Scholars Program Seeking Applicants
The Kellogg Health Scholars Program, a two-year postdoctoral fellowship, is currently recruiting a 2008-2010 cohort that will begin in fall 2008. The deadline date for submitting an application and letters of reference is Tuesday, January 8, 2008.
The Kellogg Health Scholars Program (KHSP) combines the highly successful Community Health Scholars Program (CHSP) and Scholars in Health Disparities Program (SHDP). This program offers two-year postdoctoral fellowships at eight training sites. Eight fellowships are in the Multidisciplinary Track (which is based on SHDP) and eight fellowships are in the Community Track (which is based on CHSP). Both tracks highlight the translation of health research into policy.
Each fellowship provides an annual salary of $61,000 in the first year, $62,000 in the second year, an annual research fund and other benefits.
For additional information and to submit an online application, please see
http://www.kellogghealthscholars.org.
[Some of the information in this report was provided by
the National Coalition for LGBT Health of which RAI is a member.]
This page updated on September 12, 2008
Rainbow Access Initiative is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational and charitable organization created to address the educational needs of medical and social service professionals regarding the genuine heath and human service issues of the LGBT communities. We have two primary goals: the training of health and human service professionals regarding LGBT people, and the empowerment of health care consumers who are LGBT. We are particularly sensitive to the needs of the underserved members within the LGBT community and those with less access to quality health care. This includes people of color, those who are poor, those living in rural areas, families and youth, and those who are elderly or living with chronic or terminal health conditions.
