LGBTQ Nation reported in February the often-overlooked impact of HIV on women in the United States, who account for nearly 20% of new diagnoses and over 230,000 current cases. Despite these numbers, women—particularly Black and Latina women who are disproportionately affected—face significant barriers to care, including medical bias, lack of research representation, and socioeconomic hurdles.
A primary focus of the piece is the underutilization of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). While highly effective, PrEP is frequently marketed toward men who have sex with men, leaving many women unaware of its benefits or facing doctors who fail to screen them for risk. Furthermore, the article notes that women often prioritize the health of their families over their own, delaying diagnosis and treatment. The narrative emphasizes that ending the epidemic requires a gender-specific approach.
This includes expanding access to telehealth, integrating HIV screening into routine gynecological care, and addressing the intersectional stigmas related to race and gender. By shifting the conversation to include women’s unique biological and social needs, advocates hope to close the equity gap in HIV prevention and ensure that hundreds of thousands of women are no longer left behind in the national strategy to end the virus.
