Women remain vulnerable to HIV in spite of the progress we have made toward ending the HIV epidemic in the U.S. While the face of the HIV & AIDS epidemic has usually been that of gay men, women still represent 25% of those currently living with HIV/AIDS and account for 20% of new HIV infections.
Indeed, the CDC estimates that 1 in 10 women living with the virus are unaware that they are living with HIV. Most new HIV diagnoses among women are attributed to heterosexual contact (84%), with another 15% attributed to injection drug use.
Women need to be tested too. We're here with free, confidential, and compassionate services to help.
- More than 55% of newly diagnosed women are black.
- Black women are 21x more likely to be living with an HIV diagnosis than white women.
Poverty, stigma, medical mistrust, and fear of discrimination remain factors that prevent some women from getting tested, seeking care, or reaching out for support. For those living with HIV, taking medication to suppress their viral load and become undetectable remains a huge concern.
