Among men who are diagnosed with HIV, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are more likely to receive treatment if they are older, while men under 25 and African American men are least likely to receive care.

Data from the National HIV Surveillance System (NHSS) and the Medical Monitoring Project (MMP) in 2010 shows 78% HIV-diagnosed MSM linked to care, but only 51% retained in care, 50% prescribed antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 42% achieved viral suppression.

Among age groups, men under age 25 had the lowest rates of medical care within 3 months following diagnosis, at 71%, while men age 45 to 54 had the highest rates at 84%. Retention in the health care system was less than expected, at approximately 45% to 55% depending upon age or race.

Men older than 55 were more likely to be prescribed ART (68%) and to achieve viral suppression (61%), compared with those under 25, of whom 31% received ART and 26% achieved viral suppression.

Citation: Singh S, Bradley H, Hu X, Skarbinski J, Hall HI, Lansky A. Men living with diagnosed HIV who have sex with men: progress along the continuum of HIV care - United States, 2010. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2014;63(38):829-33.

Commentary: MSM represent approximately 2% of the population in the United States, but account for 63% of newly acquired HIV infections. Patients with HIV have better outcomes when they receive regular medical care, including ART, and achieve viral suppression. Since MSM account for a disproportionate percentage of people with HIV, it is essential that we create strategies, both at individual practice levels and at a public health level, to ensure that MSM have comfortable access to care, education, and medications. Improvement is needed all along the continuum of care, with another study showing that in 20 cities only approximately half of all MSM aged 18 to 24 years who tested positive were aware of their HIV infection.1 Current recommendations from the USPSTF are that all individuals 13 to 64 years of age have at least 1 screening for HIV, and annual screenings for those who have risk factors including a new sexual partner since the last time they were screened for HIV.2 —Neil Skolnik, MD

1. Wejnert C, Le B, Rose CE, et al. HIV infection and awareness among men who have sex with men—20 cities, United States, 2008 and 2011. PLoS One. 2013;8(10):e76878. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076878.

2. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection: Screening. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Web site. http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Topic/recommendation-summary/human-immunodeficiency-virus-hiv-infection-screening. Published April 2013. Accessed Oct. 2, 2014.