Health Initiative for Men -An evidence-based community response

Gay Men’s Health Summit 2011

Jody Jollimore, MPP

OUR MISSION

The Mission of HIM is to strengthen gay men’s health and well-being through trusted, tailored, targeted research-based health promotion services and by engaging the community through volunteer involvement, online access and events…

OUR MISSION

• …we foster mutually beneficial relationships among gay men and health professionals to ensure the best possible outcomes…

OUR MISSION…

…We do this because• we value the ability of gay men to make

informed decisions• we value the role of our community in

supporting the foundations for healthy living, and

• we value scientific research.

Rooted in evidence

- Sex Now Survey research accompanied our business plan, submitted to VCH in 2007

- HIV transmissible behaviour on the rise- Testing decreasing (11 – 18% not testing)- Online hook ups increasing (17 – 58%)

Other sources- Epidemiological data (BC CDC, PHAC)-Anecdotal evidence from past Summits

Putting Knowledge into Action

• 2005, 2006, 2007Gay Men’s Health Summit sponsored by CBRC in Vancouver

• demonstrates interest in gay men’s health by:– Community – Researchers– Health planners– Service-delivery organizations

Impact on Programming

- Approach to and types of groups offered- Social marketing campaigns (Do the Math, WRUW4,

Hottest, What’s Your Number?)- PEP position paper- Mental/emotional health services- Study participation

Sources

• Sex Now Surveys• Summits & Conferences• Lit Reviews & Knowledge Exchange• Campaign Evaluations• Local & National Research Studies (ManCount, Acute HIV

Study, Momentum Health Study)• Our clinic questionnaire• Volunteer Engagement• Community Consultation

Evidence to Action

Condom distribution program, followed by a ‘condom’ campaign

The ‘Condom Campaign’ – Do the Math

- Initial message – ‘Peace of Mind’- Based on ManCount data, final message – ‘Not

all sex has the same risk’

Do the Math Evaluation- Conducted by the Community Based Research Centre- 900+ men survey at gay venues and online- 47.7% recalled the campaign- 82.2%* thought about their own HIV risk as a result of the

campaign, 57.6%* learned new risk reduction strategies- 53.7%* understood the message- 85.4%* felt it important- Those who had seen the campaign were found to be more

knowledgeable about HIV risk reduction

Testing CampaignsFrom WRUW4 to Hottest at the Start

THANK YOU!

For a preview of HIM’s new testing resource, go to www.checkhimout.ca/testing

What’s Your Number?