On April 18, AIDSVu recognizes National Transgender HIV Testing Day (NTHTD), a day to shed light on the disproportionate impact of HIV on the transgender community and to promote HIV testing, prevention, and care among transgender and gender non-binary people.
AIDSVu is committed to promoting data-driven public health decision-making by supporting conversations and action surrounding the need for better data on the impact of HIV on transgender people, systemic barriers to care experienced by transgender people, and transgender representation in HIV surveillance and interventions planning.
Transgender people are disproportionately impacted by HIV due to social and structural barriers to HIV prevention and care, such as stigma and discrimination, lack of awareness of transgender health among medical providers, and social exclusion. According to a new Special Report on Transgender Women in select U.S. cities from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 4 in 10 Transgender Women surveyed between 2019 and 2020 were HIV positive.
Barriers to healthcare for transgender people living with HIV, such as discrimination or a lack of gender-sensitive care by medical professionals, prevent transgender people from accessing, receiving, and remaining in care. Additional findings in the CDC’s Special Report indicated that 17% of Transgender Women surveyed between 2019 and 2020 had no health insurance.
Outside of healthcare settings, stigma and discrimination against transgender people in society can create financial insecurity and other challenges for transgender men and women. In fact, 77% of transgender women and 67% of transgender men served by the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program were living in poverty in 2020. In addition, the CDC’s Special Report found that 42% of Transgender Women surveyed across 7 cities between 2019 and 2020 experienced homelessness in the past 12 months.
In addition to these barriers, racial and ethnic disparities create higher burdens of HIV among some transgender populations. In 2020, Black and Hispanic/Latina Transgender Women represented 83% of Transgender Women served by the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.
Share our Infographics
To learn more about how the HIV epidemic impacts transgender men and women, explore our resources:
- Explore our local data profiles to learn about HIV/AIDS among transgender men and women in your area.
- Learn more about the HIV’s impact on the Transgender community in our Deeper Look.
- Find available HIV testing and care services near you with AIDSVu’s service locators.
- Read our Q&As to deepen your understanding of HIV/AIDS among transgender men and women.
- Share our infographics with your networks to raise awareness.
