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LGBTQ+ Affirming Care May Increase Awareness and Understanding of Undetectable = Untransmittable among Midlife and Older Gay and Bisexual Men in the US South

Author

Listed:
  • Tara McKay

    (Department of Medicine, Health and Society, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA)

  • Ellesse-Roselee Akré

    (Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA)

  • Jeffrey Henne

    (The Henne Group, Inc., San Francisco, CA 94107, USA)

  • Nitya Kari

    (Department of Medicine, Health and Society, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA)

  • Adam Conway

    (Department of Medicine, Health and Society, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA)

  • Isabel Gothelf

    (Department of Medicine, Health and Society, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA)

Abstract

One of the most significant innovations in HIV prevention is the use of HIV treatment to prevent HIV transmission. This information has been disseminated as the “Undetectable = Untransmittable” (U = U) message. Despite evidence of effectiveness, U = U awareness, belief, and understanding remains limited in some communities. In this study, we examine whether having an LGBTQ affirming healthcare provider increases U = U awareness, belief, and understanding among midlife and older gay and bisexual men in the US south, an understudied and underserved population and region where new HIV infections are increasing. We used data from the Vanderbilt University Social Networks Aging and Policy Study (VUSNAPS) on sexual minority men aged 50 to 76 from four southern US states collected in 2020–2021. We found that only one in four men reported prior awareness of U = U, but awareness was higher among men who have an LGBTQ affirming provider. Among HIV negative men, those with an affirming provider were more likely to believe and understand U = U, have more accurate risk perception, and have ever tested for HIV. Improving access to LGBTQ affirming healthcare may improve U = U awareness, belief, and understanding, which could help to curb HIV transmission in the US south.

Suggested Citation

  • Tara McKay & Ellesse-Roselee Akré & Jeffrey Henne & Nitya Kari & Adam Conway & Isabel Gothelf, 2022. "LGBTQ+ Affirming Care May Increase Awareness and Understanding of Undetectable = Untransmittable among Midlife and Older Gay and Bisexual Men in the US South," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-16, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:17:p:10534-:d:896151
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    2. Mayer, K.H. & Bradford, J.B. & Makadon, H.J. & Stall, R. & Goldhammer, H. & Landers, S., 2008. "Sexual and gender minority health: What we know and what needs to be done," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 98(6), pages 989-995.
    3. Sabin, J.A. & Riskind, R.G. & Nosek, B.A., 2015. "Health care providers' implicit and explicit attitudes toward lesbian women and gay men," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 105(9), pages 1831-1841.
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