New initiative to benefit HIV patients

There have been steps made recently to address a specific portion of the HIV-positive population, namely young men of color who have sex with men (YMSM). A group called the YMSM of Color Initiative is aiming to provide HIV care and services to these individuals and help educate them on how to live with the virus.

The initiative has three goals - to inform people of their HIV status, to help individuals access medical care and to teach them how to prevent transmitting the disease. A model of this program will be presented in an issue of AIDS Patient Care and sexually transmitted diseases.

This population presents unique challenges that many believe should be recognized and handled in an effective and delicate matter. Both racial and sexual identity problems need to be addressed among these individuals, which is what this initiative is aiming to do.

The plan for the initiate will be evaluated so that new techniques may be implemented to benefit young men of color who have sex with other men.