On course for a healthy gay future

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a white background.

A London University is offering the first ever course in gay men’s health promotion.

The one-year course, which starts in September, is being run by the University of East London (UEL) in collaboration with sexual health charity, the Terrence Higgins Trust.

“Health promotion is such a broad field”, says Ilana Morrissey, a senior lecturer at UEL. “There is so much heterosexism in health education. This course aims to strengthen understanding within the gay men’s health sector.”

Areas of study will include positive mental health, current health policies and strategies, stigma and discrimination, epidemiology of HIV, basic research methods, and cultural and historical perspectives of gay men’s health promotion.

Students taking part in the programme will develop relevant skills and competency whilst increasing their understanding of key issues currently shaping debate in the field.

Gerard McGuickin, sector development manager at Terence Higgins Trust said: “We are very excited about collaborating with the University of East London on this pioneering new programme.”

“It could open the door to a career in the sector, or could help to support a person’s career development if already working in the sector.”