Soccer star David Testo lends his voice to Male Call Canada study

Most comprehensive survey of its kind addresses public health and HIV prevention

TORONTO, Jan. 9, 2012 /CNW/ - Professional soccer player and former Montreal Impact most-valuable-player David Testo is stepping up to encourage gay and bisexual men across the country to participate in the national, bilingual Male Call Canada study, led by the University of Toronto and supported by national partners including the Canadian AIDS Society, the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT), and l'Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). This research will collect data about the attitudes, knowledge and sexual behaviours of men who have, or have had, sex with men and will help inform future public health and HIV prevention strategies, help build healthier communities and ultimately save lives.

Testo joins researchers from universities across the country, community partners and a national advisory group to help promote the study, which aims to recruit 6,000 men for a confidential, toll-free telephone survey. Potential study participants can call 1-855-846-MALE (6253) to confidentially and anonymously take the survey. The lines will be open until the end of January 2012.

For gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men and who are interested in becoming study participants, David Testo, who recently came out as a gay man, has a clear message: "I urge you to make this very important call. Over the last decade, much has changed in the lives of men who have sex with men, and more information is needed about their attitudes on a national scale." Testo adds: "This survey provides an opportunity for men to contribute their opinions on current issues so that we can better educate, promote and develop effective programming for our community and the population at large."

"This is the most comprehensive survey of men who have had sex with men in Canadian history," said University of Toronto Dr. Ted Myers, Principal Investigator for Male Call Canada. "We hope David's endorsement of this study will encourage even more men to participate in the study. The more men who participate, the better the results, the stronger the study's findings and application."

Once the data is collected and analyzed, a report complete with findings will be available by July 2012 at www.malecall.ca. The study is also supported by a national advertising campaign themed 'Let's Talk'.

or to speak to a spokesperson, please contact:

English media contact:  
Jennifer Ouellette, Consultant, Hill & Knowlton
[phone]
[email protected] 

French media contact: 
Sarah Moreau, Consultant, HKDP Montreal
[phone]
[email protected]