Discrimination Contributes to Elevated HIV Risk in Transgender Women

Transgender women, particularly those from marginalized racial and ethnic backgrounds, face a disproportionately higher risk of HIV. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a survey to collect data on behavioral factors related to HIV prevention and risk among transgender women. The analysis of survey results, published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, reveals that social and economic marginalization contributes to the elevated risk of HIV in transgender women. The survey involved over 1,600 transgender women across seven U.S. cities between 2019 and 2020. Results indicated that 42% of participants tested positive for HIV, with a higher prevalence among Black transgender women (62%) compared to Hispanic/Latina (35%) and white (17%) transgender women. The study delved into topics such as HIV exposure, access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), experiences of homelessness and sexual violence, and suicidal ideation. Discrimination against transgender women was identified as a key factor contributing to their increased risk of HIV. The report emphasizes the need to integrate housing services, behavioral health services, employment, gender-affirming medical care, and clinical care to enhance living conditions and quality of life for transgender women. Although the study highlighted lower PrEP usage, it found increased awareness, especially among Black, Hispanic, and Latina transgender women. Analyses also explored the connection between psychosocial and structural factors and the likelihood of engaging in condomless anal sex. Employment discrimination emerged as a significant issue, affecting access to health insurance and increasing the risk of HIV. The study underscored the importance of clinicians providing culturally responsive care and advocated for policies addressing poverty, healthcare access, and homelessness. While the research sheds light on the challenges transgender women face, interventions and policies are crucial to improving their health outcomes

_{Repurposed article originally published the Statnews}