MMWR – Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

1. National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day — September 27, 2010 (Box)

National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
News Media Team
(404) 639-8895

No summary available.

2. Prevalence of HIV Infection and Awareness of HIV Infection Among Men Who Have Sex With Men — 21 U.S. Cities, 2008

National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
News Media Team
(404) 639-8895

New CDC analysis finds 1 in 5 gay and bisexual men in a study of 21 major U.S. cities is infected with HIV, and nearly half (44 percent) are unaware; young men and men of color are least likely to know their status. From January to December 2008, 8,153 men who have sex with men (MSM) were tested for HIV in 21 cities with high numbers of persons living with AIDS as part of their participation in the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System. While prevalence was high among MSM of all races/ethnicities (19 percent overall), black MSM were particularly impacted; 28 percent of black MSM were infected, compared to 18 percent of Hispanic and 16 percent of white MSM. HIV prevalence increased as socioeconomic status decreased. Among those who were infected, young MSM and MSM of color were least likely to know. Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of HIV-infected MSM under age 30 were unaware. Among MSM of all ages, 59 percent of black and 46 percent of Hispanic MSM were unaware, compared to 26 percent of white MSM. Only 45 percent of MSM unaware of their infection reported having an HIV test in the last year. Authors believe these data underscore the critical need to ensure HIV testing and prevention efforts reach MSM, especially young MSM and MSM of color, and that MSM get tested for HIV at least annually.

3. Racial Disparities in Neonatal Mortality Attributable to Congenital Heart Defects — United States, 2003–2006

CDC Division of News and Electronic Media
(404) 639-3286

Neonatal mortality due to congenital heart defects represents 4.2 percent of all neonatal deaths. Consistent with previous literature on total neonatal mortality from all causes, neonatal mortality due to congenital heart defects was 30 percent lower among preterm infants born to black mothers compared with preterm infants born to white mothers in the US from 2003–2006. However, among term infants, blacks had 20 percent higher neonatal mortality due to congenital heart defects than whites. The reasons for racial differences in neonatal mortality due to congenital heart defects by gestational age are unclear and will only be understood through further investigation, including an assessment of the different factors that would affect a prenatal diagnosis of CHD; differences in the birth prevalence of congenital heart defects; and any differences in the accuracy and completeness of cause of death reporting by race/ethnicity.

 

###
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES