Tag: LGBTQ

Categories : VaccinesTags :

Amid Surge in Cases, UK’s NHS to Offer Gonorrhoea Vaccine

On By ModernMedia

Neisseria gonorrhoeae Bacteria Scanning electron micrograph of Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria, which causes gonorrhoea. Captured by the Research Technologies Branch (RTB) at the NIAID Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) in Hamilton, Montana. Credit: NIAID. Photo by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases on Unsplash

In the midst of a record high in gonorrhoea cases, the NHS is to offer a gonorrhoea vaccine to gay and bisexual men with a history of multiple partners or a sexually transmitted infection (STI), the BBC reports. The gonorrhoea vaccination, which is actually a repurposed meningococcal vaccine, is estimated only to be 30–40% effective. Research shows, however, that this will be sufficient to reduce cases and their attendant costs to the NHS.

Gonorrhoea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae and is typically transmitted by having intercourse without a condom. It can cause pain, unusual discharge, genital inflammation and infertility. Evidence has shown that the MeNZB and four-component serogroup B meningococcal (4CMenB) vaccines, designed against Neisseria meningitidis, can also offer protection against gonorrhoea.

In 2023, there were more than 85 000 cases – the highest since records began in 1918. A study published in The Lancet estimates that gonorrhoea vaccination would prevent 100 000 cases, saving the NHS £7.9 million over the next decade.

While gonorrhoea is treatable with antibiotics, resistance is growing and there is concern that it may eventually become untreatable. According to The Guardian, some cases are now “extensively drug resistant” (XDR) – not responsive to ceftriaxone or the second line of treatment. There were 17 cases of ceftriaxone-resistant gonorrhoea between January 2024 and March 2025, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported.

Over the same period, nine XDR cases were reported, while between 2022 and 2023, there were only five.

The people most affected by gonorrhoea in the UK are the 16 to 25 age group, gay and bisexual men, and those of black and Caribbean ancestry. The study’s scenario for vaccinating at-risk populations included those who had more than five sexual partners per year or who had a positive gonorrhoea test.

The vaccine, costing about £8 per dose, is cost-effective when administered to this at-risk group of men, rather than adolescents. Despite this, clinicians will be able to offer the vaccine to anyone who, in their judgment, would benefit from it. Other vaccines such as for mpox – another STI with high transmission between gay and bisexual men – and hepatitis will also be offered.

Categories : Respiratory DiseasesTags :

Bisexual People Have Over Twice the Rates of Lung Diseases

On By ModernMedia
Photo by Robina Weermeijer on Unsplash

A new national study found that bisexual Americans had over two times the rates of lung diseases including asthma as heterosexual adults.

The study, published in Annals of the American Thoracic Society, analysed data from 12 209 adults in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. Overall, 29% of bisexual adults reported experiencing lung disease compared to 14% of heterosexual adults. There is consistent evidence that bisexual individuals are at increased risk for negative health outcomes (such as mental health, substance use, and sexual health problems) compared to monosexual (heterosexual and gay/lesbian) individuals.

“Higher levels of discrimination experienced by bisexual people could lead to more stress and lead to inflammation or stress hormones which would worsen asthma,” said lead author, Jason Nagata, MD, assistant professor of paediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco. “Bisexual adults have been shown to have worse health outcomes across a number of physical and mental health domains, and we add to this literature by showing disparities in asthma and other lung diseases.”

Even people who identified as ‘mostly’ heterosexual had higher rates of asthma than those who identified as exclusively heterosexual. Mostly heterosexual individuals may also face discrimination but may not be ‘out’, with access to the social support and communities ‘out’ LGBTQ+ people have available.

“Medical professionals, social workers, and clinicians need to be aware of these sexual orientation disparities in health outcomes,” said co-author Kyle T Ganson, PhD, assistant professor at the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work. “Providing appropriate and tailored care is needed to address these disparities.”

“Some sexual minorities may be less likely to seek care due to barriers to accessing health care or experiences of discrimination at a clinician’s office. Doctors should offer materials on LGBTQ health, publicise nondiscrimination statements and have inclusive forms for sexual minorities,” Prof Nagata added, “so that they’re not discouraged from seeking care.”

Source: EurekAlert!

Categories : HIVTags :

People Most in Need of PrEP Don’t Use It

On By ModernMedia

Though sexual minority men and transgender women are aware of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a daily pill to prevent HIV infection, few are currently taking it, a New York-based study has found.

The study, published in the journal AIDS and Behavior, surveyed 202 young sexual minority men and transgender women, who are two high-priority populations for HIV prevention, to better understand the factors in their taking PrEP or not.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sexual minority men are the community most impacted by HIV, making up 69% of all new diagnoses in 2018, and transgender populations are disproportionately affected by HIV and prevention challenges. While Black and Hispanic populations are mostly likely to be newly diagnosed with HIV, PrEP users are more likely to be white.

The research team, who is from the Rutgers School of Public Health’s Center for Health, Identity, Behavior and Prevention Studies (CHIBPS), found that while 98 percent of the study’s participants were aware of PrEP, less than 25 percent were currently taking it.

“It was surprising that so few participants were using PrEP, but we were happy to see that there were no racial or ethnic disparities in who was using it,” Caleb LoSchiavo, Study Co-Author and Doctoral Candidate, School of Public Health, Rutgers University. “I think the study results point to the effectiveness of local efforts to increase the use of PrEP for those who need it most.”

While the study PrEP found no differences in use use, it also found racial and ethnic differences in factors associated with taking it. White participants were more likely to use PrEP with increased age, and were less likely to use it if they held concerns about daily medication use. Participants of colour, however, were more likely to use PrEP if they received information about it from a health care provider and if they had more positive beliefs about its use.

“Our study highlights the importance of clinicians in expanding the use of HIV prevention methods like PrEP among those who need it most, both through informing their patients about PrEP and through combating stigmatizing beliefs about PrEP use,” said senior study author Perry N Halkitis, dean of the Rutgers School of Public Health and director of CHIBPS.

The researchers said that the study emphasised the importance of PrEP education in clinical settings.

“Positive public health messaging about PrEP must reframe risk, combat stigma and normalize preventive healthcare,” LoSchiavo said.

Source: News-Medical.Net

Journal information: Jaiswal, J., et al. (2021) Correlates of PrEP Uptake Among Young Sexual Minority Men and Transgender Women in New York City: The Need to Reframe “Risk” Messaging and Normalize Preventative Health. AIDS and Behavior. doi.org/10.1007/s10461-021-03254-4.