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A Perfect Union: Achieving Marriage Equality and Ending HIV in Minnesota

A Perfect Union: Achieving Marriage Equality and Ending HIV in Minnesota. Bill Tiedemann, MSW Executive Director Minnesota AIDS Project. Highlights:. Where are we today: National Minnesota New Tools to End HIV Marriage Equality and Ending HIV A Call to Action. National Context.

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A Perfect Union: Achieving Marriage Equality and Ending HIV in Minnesota

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  1. A Perfect Union: Achieving Marriage Equality and Ending HIV in Minnesota Bill Tiedemann, MSW Executive Director Minnesota AIDS Project

  2. Highlights: • Where are we today: • National • Minnesota • New Tools to End HIV • Marriage Equality and Ending HIV • A Call to Action

  3. National Context • An estimated 1.1 million people are living with HIV in the United States. • 50,000 people are infected with HIV each year. • Recent data indicates that 1 in 4 (26%) of new HIV infections occur in youth. In 2010, about 12,000 youth, or about 1,000 per month, were infected with HIV. • MSM, particularly young, black MSM, are most severely affected by HIV. • By race, blacks/African Americans face the most severe burden of HIV.

  4. As of December 31, 2011, 7,136* persons are living in Minnesota with HIV/AIDS 3,775 living with HIV infection (non-AIDS) 3,361 living with AIDS In Minnesota

  5. In Minnesota • HIV is heavily concentrated in the Metro area. • 2011: • 35% in Minneapolis • 15% in St Paul • 37% in Twin Cities Suburbs • 14% in Greater Minnesota

  6. In Minnesota • HIV by Race: • 49% White • 22% Black • 15% African Born • 8% Hispanic • 1% American Indian • 3% Asian/Pacific Islander • HIV by Gender: • 75% Male • 25% Female

  7. In Minnesota • Gay and Bisexual men continue to be disproportionately impacted by HIV. • Of the 48 adolescent young males newly infected in 2011, nearly all of them reported a male to male sexual encounter or a male to male sexual encounter along with injecting drug use as risk factors. • Of concern is the number of early syphilis cases among males which increased from 106 in 2009 to 246 in 2011 • 88% were identified as gay and bisexual men • 57% were co-infected with HIV

  8. In Minnesota • HIV Disproportionally Impacts... • African Americans • 22% of new infections in 2011 (only 4% of state’s population) • African Born men • 31% increase in HIV from 2010-2011 • Women • African Born Women comprise 36% and African American Women comprised 28% of new infections

  9. Tools to End HIV • Test-Treat • Unfettered Access to Care • Treatment as Prevention • Emphasis on reducing barriers to promote adherence • Fighting Stigma and Discrimination • Fully Implement the Affordable Care Act • Continue to align all prevention programs with the goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy

  10. Marriage Equality Matters • Marriage Equality equals Health Care • In combination with existing tools Marriage Equality could make a real difference in Ending HIV!

  11. Marriage Equality Matters • Studies consistently indicate that: • marriage reduces heavy drinking and overall alcohol consumption. • marriage increases the likelihood of having insurance and reduces the likelihood of becoming uninsured after a job loss or other major life event. • Marriage is associated with shorter average hospital stays, fewer doctor visits, and reduced risk of nursing home admission.

  12. Marriage Equality Matters • The legalization of same-sex marriage provides a strong social structure for the stabilization of relationships that gays and lesbians have not enjoyed. • Over time as same-sex marriage becomes normative in U.S. culture we will actually see if marriage has long term effects on the decrease of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

  13. A call for action…. I want to challenge all of us to keep our foot on the accelerator for what we believe is possible in our life time… • Reaching a goal of an AIDS-Free Generation • Achieving marriage equality We must work together… • Challenge ourselves to do more • End the stigma, fear and discrimination that puts us all at risk

  14. Get Involved:Bill Tiedemann, MSWExecutive DirectorMinnesota AIDS Project(612)323-3400bill.tiedemann@mnaidsproject.org

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