Bologna, November 30, 2013 According to the latest data released by the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS) on the national monitoring of HIV infections, an increase in the incidence of the virus among MSM (men who have sex with men) has been observed among the most recent cases. Specifically, the ISS reports that in 2012, the majority of new HIV diagnoses were attributable to unprotected sex, which accounted for 80.7% of all reports. Specifically, 38% of new diagnoses involved homosexual men. This figure bucks the trend, clearly rising (new diagnoses among MSM increased by 18% from 2010 to 2012), prompting a comment from Michele Breveglieri, Head of Health at Arcigay: "It confirms what we've been saying for some years," he says, "that men who have sex with men are inherently a particularly vulnerable population, for reasons that are independent of individual behavioral choices. However, LGBT organizations are left alone to address this problem. In developed countries, targeted prevention plans exist, there is joint work between institutions and LGBT organizations, and there is a shared strategy. We therefore ask the Minister of Health, Beatrice Lorenzin, to take note of this data, also confirmed today by her Ministry, and to involve Arcigay in the AIDS commission, so as to collaborate in identifying shared prevention strategies." On December 1st, World AIDS Day, Arcigay is mobilizing in over 20 squares, from Turin to Catania, to raise awareness about safer sex practices, to distribute free condoms, and to break down clichés and prejudices surrounding HIV positivity. this link the calendar of the main initiatives.
