Sexual Health, HIV, and Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men in the United States, Richard J. Wolitski and Kevin A. Fenton, AIDS and Behavior (2011)

The paper reviews the current status of HIV and STIs among men who have sex with men (MSM) and argues that a sexual health approach towards MSM relationships may increase understanding of MSM's sexual behavior, reduce HIV and STI infections, and improve the overall health and wellbeing of MSM. This paper takes a broad view of the term "sexual health", arguing that it encompasses more than just the presence or absence of sexually transmitted infections (STI). Instead, sexual health is treated as the state of mental, emotional, physical and social well-being in relation to sexuality.

The authors argue that the social marginalization of and discrimination towards MSM affects whether they will seek or be able to obtain quality health care. In fact, they maintain that the marginalization of MSM is likely one of the leading factors that increases their risk for HIV and STIs. Fear of stigma delays many MSM from seeking STI/HIV testing or treatment and hinders them from giving full, accurate sexual histories to their health care providers. A CDC meta-analysis found that the HIV diagnosis rate was 60 times higher for MSM compared to other men and 54 times higher compared to women. The same meta-analysis found that MSM were 61 times more likely to be diagnosed with syphilis as compared to other men and 95 times more likely compared to women. The number of STI and HIV infections among MSM in the United States has been increasing steadily over the past decade.

The authors submit that a sexual health framework reflecting a positive approach to sexuality and "recogniz[ing] the physical, emotional and social aspects of human sexuality" would be a more effective way of preventing, detecting, and treating HIV and STIs among MSM.