The Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health (APCOM) is pleased to announce
the release of a policy brief entitled "The Value of Investing in MSM Programs
in the Asia-Pacific Region" today. This brief compares the overall expenditure
on HIV prevention with the expenditure for MSM programs alone, discusses the
sources of funds and resource requirements for MSM programs and shows the gap
between current expenditures and resources needed for an effective prevention
program for MSM.

The most recent data on HIV prevalence among men who have sex with
men (MSM) in the Asia Pacific region shows that across various samples and
sampling locations, between 0% and 32% of MSM are now living with HIV, making up
10-25% of all HIV infections across countries in the region. Despite this, both
investment in and coverage of HIV prevention and care programs for MSM remains
at a very low level.

APCOM hopes that this report will help policy makers recognise the
serious impact that the HIV and STI epidemics among men who have
sex with men is having, and convince them that investing in HIV
programs for MSM should be an essential part of overall efforts to
reduce the prevalence of HIV in Asia and the Pacific.

The policy brief aims to give advocates for improved access to HIV
prevention and care services for MSM a powerful tool to help argue their case
for more investment in HIV and AIDS interventions for MSM. It concludes with
four key recommendations:

„ Increase resource allocation for MSM programming.
„ Scale up successful pilot interventions for MSM.
„ Demonstrate cost-effectiveness and increase the evidence base.
„ Draw on multilateral funding sources.

The policy paper was produced in partnership with USAID under their
Health Policy Initiative together with Constella Futures, and was based on a
background paper that was prepared for the 2006 Risks and
Responsibilities - International Consultation on Male Sexual Health and HIV in
Asia and the Pacific, held in New Delhi, India. The paper is scheduled to be
updated by APCOM during 2008.

Please feel free to send ˇ§The Value of Investing in MSM Programs in
the Asia-Pacific Regionˇ¨ Policy Brief to anyone you feel may be interested or
who may be in need of a strong advocacy tool.

The complete 4-page document is available on the temporary homepage
of the APCOM website (www.msmasia.org), or paste this into your
browser:

http://www.msmasia.org/The_Value_of_Investing_in_MSM_Programs_ in
_the_Asia-Pacific_Region.pdf


"Paul C"
e-mal: <paul@...>