The National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) recently announced the official launch of His Health and Well Versed, two new online platforms focused on elevating the standard of healthcare for Black gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM).
HisHealth.org is a dynamic training website that provides expert-led continuing education courses accredited by the Infectious Diseases Society of America/HIV Medicine Association and the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, portraits of innovative models of care, and evidence-based resources to support the delivery of high quality, culturally-affirming healthcare services for Black MSM. His Health was developed on the premise that Black MSM are not hard-to-reach, but rather they are eager to receive culturally effective care, treatment and preventative services that are stigma-free and affirming of their personhood.
WellVersed.org is a community that bridges the communication gap between patients and healthcare providers by igniting conversations, and creating an experience where everyone is seen as human. Key features include “The Real Authentic Words” web series, a collection of conversations among Black gay men from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, and a first-of-its-kind directory of culturally competent healthcare providers for Black men.
“Three out of four new HIV infections are among Black men who have sex with men (MSM),” noted Terrance Moore, NASTAD Deputy Executive Director. “This is more than six times the rate of infection among White men. While the factors driving HIV transmission among Black MSM are complex, healthcare providers can serve as an effective conduit to enhance care access and increase engagement for Black MSM living with HIV.”
Both platforms were developed for and by Black gay men and their healthcare providers in partnership with NASTAD and the Health Resources Services Administration’s HIV/AIDS Bureau (HRSA/HAB) in response to how Black MSM are disproportionately impacted by the domestic HIV epidemic.
