Gay and bisexual men still represent largest number of new HIV cases in Canada

published on May 7, 2019 in Community-Based Research Centre

Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men continue to make up about half of new HIV diagnoses each year, despite being fewer than 5 per cent of all adult men.

A trend that shows little sign of improvement, say researchers.

“Nationally, the number of new diagnoses amongst [men who have sex with men] has remained largely unchanged over the last 10 years,” said Dr. David Moore from the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS.

“HIV remains a fundamental threat to the health of these men, and results in significant costs to the Canadian health care system.”

...

At least that was the focus of the April 11 HESA hearing in the nation’s capital, where Dr. Moore joined other experts to suggest what the government could do to significantly impact rates of new diagnoses of HIV and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections, or STBBIs.

One of their suggestions for the government was to invest in ways to expand testing.

“We need a greater range of testing approaches in Canada that make the best use of new and effective test technologies and that empower gender and sexual minority people to get tested,” said Dr. Mark Gilbert, Medical Director of the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control.

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David Moore

BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS

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Gay and bisexual men still represent largest number of new HIV cases in Canada

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