A Discussion with Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky on “SSA” - Hakirah.org

42 : Hạkirah, the Flatbush Journal of Jewish Law and Thoughtcommunity” and “exacts a devastating toll on men who have sex<strong>with</strong> men.” 17After pointing out that those men who engage in sex <strong>with</strong> men(MSM) account for a minute percentage of the U.S. male populationaged 13 and older, Dr. Fenton reported how this small group is affectedby the following catastrophic numbers:(1) One in five homosexual or bisexual men is infected <strong>with</strong> HIV.(2) Men who have sex <strong>with</strong> men (MSM) are 44 times more likely toget infected <strong>with</strong> HIV.(3) MSM account for more than half of all new HIV infections inthe U.S. each year even though they constitute less than 2% ofthe population.(4) Nearly half of HIV-infected men were unaware of their HIVstatus.(5) 532,000 gay men are currently infected <strong>with</strong> HIV in the U.S.About 300,000 gay-identified men have died from AIDS <strong>with</strong>inthe U.S. 18However, the CDC report points out that beyond the consequencesof HIV and AIDS, several other catastrophic risk factorsare present for gay-identified and/or bisexual men. This populationhas higher percentages of risk when focusing on other diseases.They include:(1) In 2006, 64% of the reported primary and secondary syphiliscases were among men who have sex <strong>with</strong> men (MSM). 19(2) Approximately 15%–25% of all new hepatitis B virus (HBV) infectionsin the United States are among MSM. 2017181920Re-....