In general, homosexual men have the same general health-care concerns as other men. However, gay men may also have additional health risks associated with same-sex behavior. Additionally, a study done for the International Conference on AIDS indicated that gay men prefer gay friendly doctors, or even more so, gay doctors, when other qualities were equal. In the Collingswood, New Jersey area, there are doctors and centers that specialize in the treatment of these health concerns in a town known to embrace diversity.
HIV/AIDS
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control in 2008 estimated that " ... approximately 56,300 people were newly infected with HIV in 2006. ... Over half (53 percent) of these new infections occurred in gay and bisexual men." According to the American Medical Association, men who have sex with men have a higher rate of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome than people in other sexual demographic groups.
Cancer and Hepatitis
In addition to other complications, gay men with AIDS also suffer a higher risk for anorectal cancer, and screenings should be done regularly. Gay men are more likely to contract hepatitis B virus than hepatitis C, and should receive the hepatitis B vaccine.
Sexually Transmissible and Other Diseases
The AMA study found gay men are at increased risk of certain gastrointestinal infections and STDs. These include proctitis, enteritis, colitis and proctocolitis. They are at higher risk of infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae, herpes simplex virus, Chlamydia trachomatis, Treponema pallidum, primary syphilis and urethritis.
Physicians and Specialists
Gay men should have regular examinations and testing to address their higher risks. Unfortunately, the AMA study also found that men who have sex with men are often reluctant to volunteer their sexual orientation. To help counter this, the AMA recommends that physicians take a sexual history of all new adult patients in a nonjudgmental and attentive manner. It also recommends that doctors ask open-ended questions to help patients speak openly with the doctor. Diversity Builder operates a website that allows companies to register as "gay friendly" businesses. Among gay friendly physicians in New Jersey, it lists the Kimball Medical Center in Toms River, about an hour and a half from Collingswood near the shore. The Kimball website provides referrals for physicians in all specialties, including doctors closer to Collingswood.
Collingswood Diversity
Collingswood, New Jersey is known as a town that embraces diversity. The magistrate was up at midnight on Feb. 18, 2007, to be among the first to commence ceremonies for couples who wanted to be united under New Jersey's newly enacted civil union status. Three years later, a rally was held to celebrate the date. Websites such as City-Data.Com, which offers reviews from people in the gay community, cite positive experiences.
References
- American Medical Association: Health Care Needs of Gay Men and Lesbians in the United States
- National Library of Medicine: Health Care for Gay Men in Belgium
- City Data: Gay Friendly Towns in New Jersey
- Center for Disease Control: HIV/AIDS Basic Statistics
- Diversity Builder: New Jersey
- Collingswood In Jersey: Gay Rights Rally
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