RapidResponsetoEmergingFairHousingIssues ofmpoxcases

Mpox (f/k/a "Monkeypox"), a virus that causes smallpox-like symptoms and is sometimes fatal, has existed for decades In 2022, a new strain of the virus began to spread around the world, almost entirely among gay, bisexual, andothermenwhohavesexwithmen(MSM). In the United States, 95%ofmpoxcaseswere men(CDC,2023).

News outlets accurately reported the initial transmission primarily in the queer community, but then shifted to focus on possible spread through linens, towels, andnon-sexualcontact The combination of data and means of spread created the discrimination for queer people with fearful roommates Closeted people were kicked out of their homes because they had this new "gay disease." With visible and lasting body sores, elders in the community feared another AIDS-like crisis of government inaction and social isolation of queer people. Further, in St. Louis, unhoused people who testedpositivehadnorespitehousing.Without secure and safe housing, both fear for discrimination and increased risk of spread createdapublichealthcrisiswaitingtobloom.

Unhoused individuals face an elevated mpox risk due to congregate settings like camps or shelters, along with a higher prevalence of chronic illnesses like HIV, which raises the likelihood of severe or fatal mpox infection (NHCHC,2022).

Community members stepped up to get people vaccines, hotel rooms, and to educate people on their rights to housing Like most health and social issues, housing access lies at the root. On a global scale, researchers found low quality housing was a risk factor for the transmission of mpox (Quiner et al., 2017). Across the United States, the queer community stepped up to reduce the harm inflicted by mpox In collaboration with our community partners, EHOC created a first of its kind fact sheet specifically addressing fair housing rights in the context of MPOX and partnered with local public health departments, providers, and grassroots efforts to both educate the public on housing protections as well as to co-host MO's first mass vaccination event forgay,bisexual,andMSM.