title: From personal survival to public health: community leadership by men who have sex with men in the response to HIV.
abstract: Community leadership and participation by gay men and men who have sex with men (MSM) have been central to the response to HIV since the beginning of the epidemic. Through a wide array of actions, engagement of MSM has been important in the protection of communities. The connection between personal and community health as drivers of health advocacy continue to be a powerful element. The passion and urgency brought by MSM communities have led to the targeting and expansion of HIV and AIDS research and programming, and have improved the synergy of health and human rights, sustainability, accountability, and health outcomes for all people affected by HIV. MSM are, however, frequently excluded from the evidence-based services that they helped to develop, despite them generally being the most effective actors in challenging environments. Without MSM community involvement, government-run health programmes might have little chance of effectively reaching communities or scaling up interventions to lessen, and ultimately end, the HIV pandemic.
authors: Centre for the Development of People, Lilongwe, Malawi.
authors: Gift
authors: G
authors: Trapence
authors: Chris
authors: C
authors: Collins
authors: Sam
authors: S
authors: Avrett
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Carr
authors: Hugo
authors: H
authors: Sanchez
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Ayala
authors: Daouda
authors: D
authors: Diouf
authors: Chris
authors: C
authors: Beyrer
authors: Stefan D
authors: SD
authors: Baral
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D007857:Leadership; D008297:Male; D011634:Public Health; D012725:Sexual Behavior