Atlas Research to Study Federal HIV and Viral Hepatitis Activities Focused on African American Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM)

November 17, 2014

Atlas Research has been awarded a four-year contract from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy (OHAIDP) to create a comprehensive inventory and descriptive analysis of all recent federal HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis programs, initiatives, policies, research, and activities serving, targeting, or significantly impacting Black gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men (MSM).

MSM are the group most affected by HIV in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), MSM represent approximately two percent of the U.S. population, but account for more than half of new HIV infections. Among all gay and bisexual men, African Americans, especially young African Americans, are the group most affected by HIV. CDC found that in 2010 the number of new infections among young African American MSM aged 13-24 was more than twice that of either young white MSM or young Hispanic/Latino MSM.

Atlas will design and deploy both quantitative and qualitative data collection approaches to identify a range of trends, including best or promising practices for averting new HIV or viral hepatitis infections or improving treatment and care outcomes for Black MSM; gaps in federal activity; under-served age groups or regions; and examples of successful federal cross-agency collaboration.

“Atlas Research is honored to partner with HHS in its effort to address this critical health disparity,” said Jamie Hart, PhD, MPH, Executive Vice President of Atlas Research. “We are hopeful that our findings will inform priorities for additional effort and collaboration among a variety of stakeholders.”