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Infographic

Addressing MPOX Disparities Among MSM in Los Angeles County

May 15, 2022

In response to the 2022 mpox (monkeypox) outbreak, collaborators from the Southern California HIV/AIDS Policy Research Center and the University of Southern California  adapted a validated microsimulation model to understand the dynamics of mpox disease transmission. Results estimate the impact of vaccination, treatment, and risk reduction strategies on Los Angeles County’s communities of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM). Using data from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, the model determined the potential impact of policy and programmatic interventions to address the growing mpox disparities among Black and Latinx MSM. This infographic provides key findings from the modeling project.

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Authors

Southern California HIV/AIDS Policy Research Center
Addressing MPOX Disparities Among MSM in Los Angeles County

Addressing Mpox Disparities Among Men who Have Sex with Men in Los Angeles County

2,227 cases as of 11/23/22

In the ongoing mpox (monkeypox) outbreak of 2022, California has the highest number of mpox cases in the nation, and Los Angeles County has the highest number of cases in the state.

Disparities

Compared to White LA County residents, Latinx and Black residents had lower vaccination uptake relative to their share of mpox cases.

bar graphs for White, Black, and Latinx residents, comparing their percentage of the population, percentage of mpox cases, and percentage of vaccinated

  • 44% of mpox cases were among people living with HIV

  • 51% of those who received TPOXX (emergency mpox treatment) were people living with HIV

Behavioral Interventions Using Harm Reduction

Nearly half of 2,999 respondents in a national dataset reported that they reduced

  • Number of sex partners
  • One-time sexual encounters
  • Sex partners met on dating apps

Modeling Future Mpox Cases Averted by Intervention

bar graph showing modeled mpox cases averted, in order of decreasing effectiveness, by isolation, doubling the vaccination rate among people living with HIV, doubling the vaccination rate among Latinx, and doubling the vaccination rate among Blacks.

We used predictive modeling to simulate cumulative cases averted overall among men who have sex with men by different interventions between December 2022 and July 2023.

Modeling suggests targeted vaccination interventions and isolation support can avert future cases of mpox in Los Angeles County.

Policy and Program Recommendations

  • Continue disseminating harm reduction messaging

  • Leverage public health infrastructure to bolster vaccination among peopole living with HIV

  • Offer vaccine pop-up clinics in Black and Latinx communities

  • Ensure that mpox materials are available in Spanish and culturally tailored

  • Co-locate mpox vaccination efforts with HIV/STD testing & treatment locations

  • Advocate for financial assistance programs for your diagnosed with mpox to support isolation