MSM Blood Donor Controversy - MSM and HIV/AIDS

MSM and HIV/AIDS

In many developed countries HIV is more prevalent among MSM than among the general population. In the United States, MSM accounted for 49 percent of new HIV diagnoses reported in 2005. Estimates of the percentage of men in the US who have had sex with men vary from 0.5% to 13.95%. The US Census does not ask about sexual practices. African Americans, who are also at high risk but are not banned from donating blood, accounted for 49 percent of new HIV diagnoses reported in 2007 and 12% of the population.