Silence = Death 2015: HIV and politics
June 9, 2015 8:33 AM Subscribe
Two studies published this week examine the politics of HIV in the United States and Europe and question the impact of personal responsibility. United States, HIV associated with race: "HIV is a biological phenomena and it is a behavioral phenomena, but in this day and age it is a social and structural phenomena," Perry Halkitis on a longitudinal study of MSM. The study claims Black and Hispanic men "do not appear to engage in more or riskier sexual behaviors compared with their white peers." (Reuters coverage of the study.)
Europe, HIV associated with national homophobia: "Our findings suggest that rather than primarily being the result of personal failure, HIV risk is largely determined by national laws, policies, and attitudes toward homosexuality. This study shows that gay and bisexual men in homophobic countries are denied the resources, including psychological resources like open self-expression, that are necessary to stay healthy." (University Daily News coverage. )
Mod note: Couple of comments deleted; one-liners can sound dismissive even if they're not meant to, so let's start over with something less easily misinterpreted?
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 8:59 AM on June 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 8:59 AM on June 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
This study shows that gay and bisexual men in homophobic countries are denied the resources, including psychological resources like open self-expression, that are necessary to stay healthy.
They don't include the USA on that list? Seems like an oversight, given e.g. the news about the HIV clinic in Indiana recently.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:02 AM on June 9, 2015
They don't include the USA on that list? Seems like an oversight, given e.g. the news about the HIV clinic in Indiana recently.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:02 AM on June 9, 2015
My sister recently contracted HIV. Her boyfriend did heroin, and didn't even know to get tested.
Here in Texas, thank god, they've recently cut funding for HIV education, instead putting it towards abstinence education.
FTSW.
posted by durandal at 9:15 AM on June 9, 2015
Here in Texas, thank god, they've recently cut funding for HIV education, instead putting it towards abstinence education.
FTSW.
posted by durandal at 9:15 AM on June 9, 2015
They don't include the USA on that list? Seems like an oversight, given e.g. the news about the HIV clinic in Indiana recently.
It's a study about Europe and European attitudes.
posted by OmieWise at 9:17 AM on June 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
It's a study about Europe and European attitudes.
posted by OmieWise at 9:17 AM on June 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
Singular is phenomenon, phenomena is plural.
Okay, pedantry over, carry on.
posted by Pyrogenesis at 9:45 AM on June 9, 2015
Okay, pedantry over, carry on.
posted by Pyrogenesis at 9:45 AM on June 9, 2015
Reminds me of the article posted earlier this year about the differences in HIV transmission in the early days between the US and UK/Europe due to differences in social/political policies (e.g. clean needles). Also -- ACT UP (and others) have always understood that HIV is a social and structural phenomenon.
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 10:07 AM on June 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 10:07 AM on June 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
Mine was the deleted comment. Apologies if it sounded dismissive. I meant to say:
"It's always better to have ethically-collected scientific evidence that refutes bigotry, in addition to moral reasoning".
posted by lalochezia at 10:16 AM on June 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
"It's always better to have ethically-collected scientific evidence that refutes bigotry, in addition to moral reasoning".
posted by lalochezia at 10:16 AM on June 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
One of the reasons I've posted this is that even within LGBT circles I see HIV-prevention phrased entirely as, "well, don't do that." I've also seen a running thing that environmental heterosexism is all in our heads and doesn't pose a material harm.
Well, that, and I saw two independently published but related studies hit my feeds on the same day, so I thought it might be worth sharing this month.
posted by CBrachyrhynchos at 10:56 AM on June 9, 2015
Well, that, and I saw two independently published but related studies hit my feeds on the same day, so I thought it might be worth sharing this month.
posted by CBrachyrhynchos at 10:56 AM on June 9, 2015
We've known for a long time that what causes the disproportionate HIV rates among African American gay/bi men (also true of African American women, in different ways) is not a higher rate of risky behaviors, but a combination of structural issues (mostly racism) and a higher likelihood of HIV+ people in their dating pool (which is in turn a function of the structural issues).
It is analogous to the fact that African Americans use drugs at lower rates than whites, but are more likely to be arrested, convicted, and to serve longer sentences. It's not about individual behavior as much as it is about the environment in which the behavior is occurring. Especially the structural racism.
posted by gingerbeer at 11:33 AM on June 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
It is analogous to the fact that African Americans use drugs at lower rates than whites, but are more likely to be arrested, convicted, and to serve longer sentences. It's not about individual behavior as much as it is about the environment in which the behavior is occurring. Especially the structural racism.
posted by gingerbeer at 11:33 AM on June 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
HIV Is Moving From Cities To Rural Communities - 6-minute radio story and interview (the guest is one of my oldest friends).
posted by rtha at 11:33 AM on June 9, 2015
posted by rtha at 11:33 AM on June 9, 2015
This is also relevant. Shaming people for using a different method of prevention doesn't help.
(BTW lalochezia - you're not the only one. My snark was deleted too.)
posted by Sophie1 at 12:47 PM on June 9, 2015
(BTW lalochezia - you're not the only one. My snark was deleted too.)
posted by Sophie1 at 12:47 PM on June 9, 2015
Ugh, governments should be doling out PrEP like free candy to anyone who can stick to the regimen. The long-term costs it would save would more than pay for it, I think.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:35 PM on June 9, 2015
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:35 PM on June 9, 2015
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But I guess it is good someone studied it.
posted by AlexiaSky at 8:59 AM on June 9, 2015