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?