HYM/TRUTH
- HYM: Healthy Young Men’s Study
- TRUTH: A Trans Youth of Color Study
We believe better health for all young men is possible
The Healthy Young Men’s Study (HYM) is a research initiative funded by the National Institutes of Health focused on preventing HIV and improving the health and wellness of Black, Latino, and multiracial young men who have sex with men (YMSM) in Los Angeles.
Why young men of color?
Young gay and bisexual men of color are heavily impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States. Black YMSM are the only group that is still experiencing an increase in the rate of new HIV infections. Our prior research found that stigma of HIV, experiences of racism, internalized homophobia, and violence are risk factors for HIV infection among YMSM of color.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
What is the purpose of HYM?
The HYM study is uniquely focused on identifying best practices for engaging young gay men of color in the HIV Care Continuum. The HIV Care Continuum is a series of steps a person at risk for HIV would take to prevent and/or drastically reduce the amount of HIV in the body. Ranging from HIV testing and engagement in care to adherence to HIV treatment, taking these steps helps prevent the spread of HIV to others. The HYM study will:
- Develop new tools and interventions to prevent new HIV infections and improve health outcomes.
- Better understand the barriers that keep young men of color out of care, as well as factors that help them stay in care.
- Develop best practices for engaging young gay men of color in the HIV Care Continuum.
- Influence HIV care policy and funding.
- Address institutional and structural barriers to care.
- Advocate for young gay men of color.
- Study over time young gay men of color’s:
- Insurance status and access to care
- Substance use including alcohol, marijuana and other illicit substances
- Use and access to HIV/STI testing and treatment services
- For HIV+ young men, their retention in HIV/AIDS care and adherence to ART
- Use of biomedical prevention interventions, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
Resource Guide
Download our community resources and referral guide.
#SpeakYourTruth
The TRUTH study is a research initiative funded by the National Institutes of Health that is focused on preventing HIV and improving the health and wellness of Black, Latinx, Asian-Pacific Islander, Native, Indigenous and mixed race trans and gender non-conforming youth in Los Angeles.
Why Trans and Gender Non-Conforming Youth of Color?
To date, there has been very little research about gender non-conforming or trans-youth. We do know that Trans-women of color experience great health disparities and have higher HIV rates than any other group. This study seeks to address the lack of knowledge by adding to the body of research available.
What is the purpose of TRUTH?
The TRUTH study is focused on identifying the most effective ways for engaging trans and gender non-conforming youth of color in the HIV Care Continuum. The HIV Care Continuum is a series of steps a person at risk for HIV takes to prevent and/or drastically reduce the amount of HIV in the body. From HIV testing to engagement in care and adherence to HIV treatment, taking these steps helps prevent the spread of HIV to others. The TRUTH Study will help researchers:
- Develop new strategies to prevent new HIV infections and improve health outcomes.
- Understand the barriers that keep trans-youth of color out of care, as well as the factors that help them stay in care.
- Develop effective ways to engage trans-youth of color in the HIV Care Continuum.
- Identify health care opportunities for diagnosis and treatment options.
- Communicate the importance of adherence to antiretroviral therapy and viral suppression to enhance health.
- Help trans and gender non-conforming youth of color to advocate for themselves.
- Influence HIV care policy and funding.
Resource Guide
Download our community resources and referral guide.
Prior Research
- HYM 1.0
Conducted between 2003 and 2008, Healthy Young Men’s Study 1.0 was designed to provide much-needed insight into the lives and behaviors of YMSM. Specifically, this research focused on closing significant gaps in knowledge regarding individual, familial, social, and community characteristics that influence YMSM to engage in both risky and protective behaviors.
Results from this research demonstrated that the stigma of HIV, experiences of racism, internalized homophobia and violence are risk factors for HIV infection among YMSM of color. Along with involvement in illicit drug use and risky sexual behavior, they may lead to toxic stress responses that can affect the physical and mental health of these young men.
HYM 1.0 Key Publications
Kubicek, K., Beyer, W. J., Weiss, G., Iverson, E., & Kipke, M. D. (2010). In the dark: Young men’s stories of sexual initiation in the absence of relevant sexual health information. Health Education & Behavior, 37(2), 243-263
Wong, C. F., Kipke, M. D., Weiss, G., & McDavitt, B. (2010). The impact of recent stressful experiences on HIV-risk related behaviors. Journal of Adolescence, 33(3), 463-475
Wong, C. F., Weiss, G., Ayala, G., & Kipke, M. D. (2010). Harassment, discrimination, violence and illicit drug use among young men who have sex with men. AIDS education and prevention: Official publication of the International Society for AIDS Education, 22(4), 286
Kubicek, K., McDavitt, B., Carpineto, J., Weiss, G., Iverson, E. F., & Kipke, M. D. (2009). “God Made Me Gay for a Reason” Young Men Who Have Sex With Men’s Resiliency in Resolving Internalized Homophobia From Religious Sources. Journal of Adolescent Research, 24(5), 601-633
Kipke, M. D., Kubicek, K., Weiss, G., Wong, C., Lopez, D., Iverson, E., & Ford, W. (2007). The health and health behaviors of young men who have sex with men. Journal of Adolescent Health, 40(4), 342-350