National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day #NWGHAAD (March 10, 2023)
Posted March 9, 2023
Friday, March 10th is annual observance of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD), a day to shed light on the impact of HIV and AIDS on women and girls and show support for those at risk of and living with HIV. Access #NWGHAAD resources, toolkits, patient materials, and more from the Office on Women’s Health.
According to the Office on Women’s Health, in 2020, 1.1 million people aged 13 and older were living with HIV in the United States. During that year, an estimated 30,635 people received a new HIV diagnosis.1
In 2019, out of the almost 35,000 new HIV diagnoses, women accounted for 18% of these cases. Most of the diagnoses were among women ages 25 to 44.
Although HIV diagnoses decreased among women overall from 2015 to 2019, disparities in HIV continue as Black or African American women continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV. In 2019, Black or African American women accounted for 54% of the new HIV diagnoses.1
Diagnoses among women were primarily attributed to heterosexual sexual contact (84%) or injection drug use (16%). Out of the new HIV diagnoses in 2019, 2% were among transgender women. The highest number of diagnoses were among Black or African American transgender women and Hispanic/Latino transgender women.
Poverty, stigma, medical mistrust, and fear of discrimination prevent some women from seeking and receiving high-quality health care, including HIV testing, treatment, and other prevention services. Addressing these barriers and encouraging safe and supportive communities can help improve health outcomes for women.
An estimated 14% of transgender women have HIV. Transgender women experience stigma and discrimination and often encounter healthcare providers or clinics lacking knowledge of transgender issues or proper inclusive language. These all pose obstacles to HIV testing, prevention, and care that can be addressed among transgender women.
Learn more about transgender women and inclusive HIV care with HIV Learning Network’s on-demand webinar Transgender and Cisgender Women’s Perspectives on Trans-Inclusive HIV Care for Women, given by Jae Sevelius, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS), and Associate Professor of Medicine, UCSF.
Greater Than AIDS
We’d also like to recognize Greater Than AIDS, who have elevated the conversation around ending HIV stigma and empowerment this National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Click here to hear watch Grammy Award-winning artist Alicia Keys in conversation with five inspiring women living with HIV here in America, about love, life and finding empowerment.
Additional Resources
- Get the latest data on HIV among women by downloading the CDC’s HIV and Women fact sheet here.
- Learn more about HIV and Women risk behaviors, diagnoses, knowledge of status, prevention challenges, and more.
