Alexandra B. Balaji

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Gabriela Paz‐Bailey

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Sarah Braunstein

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Cyprian Wejnert

National Center for HIV/AIDS Viral Hepatitis STD and TB Prevention

Teresa Finlayson

National Center for HIV/AIDS Viral Hepatitis STD and TB Prevention

James D. Heffelfinger

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Melissa Cribbin

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Brooke Hoots

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Alexandra M. Oster

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Dita Broz

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Andrew C. Voetsch

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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National Center for HIV/AIDS Viral Hepatitis STD and TB Prevention

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Johns Hopkins University

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Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services

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University College London

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Association between parent–adolescent communication about sex-related topics and HIV testing, United States. 2006–2013

AIDS Care (2016)

Alexandra B. Balaji Emeka Oraka Amy M. Fasula Paula E. Jayne Monique Carry

Adolescents need information about sex-related topics in order to reduce risk behavior and engage in healthy sexual decision-making. Parents have the potential to be an important source of this information. Using the 2006–2010 and 2011–2013 National Survey of Family Growth, we examined associations between parent–adolescent communication before age 18 about sex-related topics and HIV testing among respondents aged 18–24 that ever had sexual intercourse (women = 3893; men = 3359). Analyses showed that for both men and women, discussing how to prevent HIV/AIDS and how to use a condom with a parent before age 18 were positively associated with HIV testing. Among women only, discussions about methods of birth control, where to get birth control, and STDs were positively associated with HIV testing. Developing strategies and interventions to facilitate parent–adolescent communication about sex-related topics, particularly HIV prevention and condom use, may be important to increase HIV testing among young women and men.

Birth control

Sexual intercourse

10.1080/09540121.2016.1238443

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Citations (11)

Age-Associated Trends in Diagnosis and Prevalence of Infection with HIV Among Men Who Have Sex with Men — United States, 2008–2016

MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (2018)

Andrew Mitsch Sonia Singh Jianmin Li Alexandra B. Balaji Laurie Linley

In 2016, two thirds of diagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in the United States were attributed to male-to-male sexual contact (1). The risk for sexual acquisition and transmission of HIV changes through the lifespan (2); to better guide prevention efforts for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM*), CDC analyzed National HIV Surveillance System† (NHSS) data for MSM aged ≥13 years by age group (13-29, 30-49, and ≥50 years) in 50 states and the District of Columbia (DC). During 2008-2016, the annual number of diagnoses of HIV infection increased 3% per year among MSM aged 13-29 years, decreased 4% per year among those aged 30-49 years and was stable for MSM aged ≥50 years. The number of HIV diagnoses among MSM aged 13-29 years was four times that of MSM aged ≥50 years. During 2008-2015, the number of MSM aged ≥50 years living with diagnosed HIV infection (prevalence of HIV infection) increased an average of 11% per year and at year-end 2015 was three times that of MSM aged 13-29 years. Racial/ethnic disparities in HIV infection persisted, particularly among younger black/African American MSM who accounted for 49% of all diagnoses among MSM aged 13-29 years during 2008-2016. To avert the most infections and improve health outcomes (3), sexually active MSM at risk for HIV infection should be tested at least once a year, and, if positive, linked to and retained in HIV medical care to achieve viral suppression (4). Those testing negative should be provided HIV prevention services, including preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) (5).

10.15585/mmwr.mm6737a2

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Mental health, social support, and HIV-related sexual risk behaviors among HIV-negative adolescent sexual minority males: three U.S. cities, 2015

AIDS and Behavior (2019)

Christine Agnew-Brune Alexandra B. Balaji Brian Mustanski Michael E. Newcomb Nik Prachand

Health psychology

10.1007/s10461-019-02525-5

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Sexual Risk Behavior Differences Among Sexual Minority High School Students — United States, 2015 and 2017

MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (2018)

Catherine N. Rasberry Richard Lowry Michelle M. Johns Leah Robin Richard Dunville

Sexual minority youths (i.e., those identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or another nonheterosexual identity or reporting same-sex attraction or sexual partners) are at higher risk than youths who are not sexual minority youth (nonsexual minority youth) for negative health behaviors and outcomes, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), pregnancy (1),* and related sexual risk behaviors (2). Less is known about sexual risk behavior differences between sexual minority youth subgroups. This is the first analysis of subgroup differences among sexual minority youths using nationally representative Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data. CDC analyzed pooled data from the 2015 and 2017 cycles of the national YRBS, a cross-sectional, school-based survey assessing health behaviors among U.S. students in grades 9-12. Analyses examined differences in eight sexual risk behaviors between subgroups of sexual minority youths and nonsexual minority youths, as well as within sexual minority youths. Logistic regression models controlling for race/ethnicity and grade found that bisexual females and "not sure" males reported higher prevalences for many behaviors than did heterosexual students. For behavior-based subgroups, the largest number of differences were seen between students who had sexual contact with both sexes compared with students with only opposite-sex sexual contact. Findings highlight subgroup differences within sexual minority youths that could inform interventions to promote healthy behavior.

Sexual identity

10.15585/mmwr.mm6736a3

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Citations (63)

Binge Drinking, Non-injection Drug Use, and Sexual Risk Behaviors among Adolescent Sexual Minority Males, 3 US Cities, 2015

Journal of Urban Health (2020)

Taylor Robbins Cyprian Wejnert Alexandra B. Balaji Brooke Hoots Gabriela Paz–Bailey

Binge drinking

Ecstasy

Casual

10.1007/s11524-020-00479-x

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7.10-P12Awareness and knowledge of Glaucoma in ethnic minority groups in Scotland

European Journal of Public Health (2018)

S Gulati Alexandra B. Balaji Pankaj Kumar Agarwal

in first and second generation immigrants was 10% and 27% lower, respectively.However, lung cancer incidence increased in first generation immigrants reaching the level of native Danes in the late 2000s.First generation immigrants experienced approximately 50% lower incidence of lower urinary tract cancer than natives.However, only liver and stomach cancer had higher SIRs in immigrants. Conclusion:Overall TRC incidence was lower among immigrants than in native Danes.Lower urinary tract cancer among first generation immigrants warrants further investigation.

10.1093/eurpub/cky048.244

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School health profiles 2006 : characteristics of health programs among secondary schools

Alexandra B. Balaji Nancy D. Brener Tim McManus Joseph Hawkins Laura Kann

School health

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Role Flexing: How Community, Religion, and Family Shape the Experiences of Young Black Men Who Have Sex with Men

AIDS Patient Care and STDs (2012)

Alexandra B. Balaji Alexandra M. Oster Abigail H. Viall James D. Heffelfinger Leandro Mena

While the disproportionate impact of HIV on young black men who have sex with men (MSM) is well documented, the reasons for this disparity remain less clear. Through in-depth interviews, we explored the role of familial, religious, and community influence on the experiences of young black MSM and identified strategies that these young men use to negotiate and manage their sexual minority status. Between February and April 2008, 16 interviews were conducted among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected young (19- to 24-year-old) black MSM in the Jackson, Mississippi, area. Results suggest that overall, homosexuality remains highly stigmatized by the men's families, religious community, and the African American community. To manage this stigma, many of the participants engaged in a process of "role flexing," in which individuals modified their behavior in order to adapt to a particular situation. The data also provided evidence of internalized homophobia among a number of the participants. The impact of stigma on risk behavior should be more fully explored, and future intervention efforts need to explicitly address and challenge stigma, both among young men themselves and the communities in which they reside. Attention should also be paid to the role masculinity may play as a driver of the HIV epidemic among young black MSM and how this knowledge can be used to inform prevention efforts.

Stigma

10.1089/apc.2012.0177

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Citations (113)

HIV testing in the U.S. household population aged 15-44: data from the National Survey of Family Growth, 2006-2010.

PubMed (2012)

Anjani Chandra Veena G. Billioux Casey E. Copen Alexandra B. Balaji Elizabeth DiNenno

This report presents nationally representative estimates and trends for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing among the U.S. household population aged 15-44. Data are presented for lifetime experience with HIV testing and HIV testing in the past year, including testing done as part of prenatal care.Data for this report come from the 2006-2010 National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG), consisting of 22,682 interviews with men and women aged 15-44, conducted from June 2006 through June 2010. The overall response rate for the 2006-2010 NSFG was 77%: 78% for women and 75% for men.Among U.S. women aged 15-44, the percentage ever tested for HIV outside of blood donation increased significantly from 35% in 1995 to 55% in 2002, and to 59% in 2006-2010. Among men aged 15-44, the percentage ever tested outside blood donation fell from 47% in 2002 to 42% in 2006-2010. Within gender groups in 2006-2010, the proportions ever tested for HIV outside of blood donation were similar for Hispanic and non-Hispanic white persons: roughly 6 out of 10 among women and 4 out of 10 among men. However, a higher percentage of non-Hispanic black women (75%) and non-Hispanic black men (61%) had ever been tested for HIV outside of blood donation. Based on 2006-2010 data, 21% of women were tested for HIV within the 12 months prior to interview, compared with 13% of men. While NSFG data cannot ascertain the temporal sequencing of risk-related behaviors and HIV testing, the data indicate that testing within the past year occurs more often among individuals reporting potential HIV risk-related behaviors.

Hiv test

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Articles to Appear in Future Issues

Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia (2016)

Nirmeen A. Sabry Cairo Carolina Kosour Desanka Dragosavac Natalícia de Jesus Antunes

10.1053/s1053-0770(16)30046-5

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