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Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/women/index.htm
Historically, the HIV/AIDS epidemic has affected more men than women, but women are being increasingly affected. Since 1985 the proportion of estimated AIDS cases diagnosed among women has more than tripled, from 8% in 1985 to 27% in 2004. And although each year more men than women become infected with HIV, this gap is slowly closing. In fact, if new HIV infections continue at their current rate worldwide, women with HIV may soon outnumber men with HIV.
The epidemic has increased most dramatically among women of color, especially African American women. In 2004, women of color accounted for 80% of all women estimated to be living with AIDS; African American women made up 64% of this total.
Most of the effects of HIV and AIDS are similar for men and women, but there are some biological and social differences. Women are more susceptible to HIV infection through heterosexual intercourse because of the large amount of vaginal mucosal exposure to seminal fluids. Certain AIDS complications are unique to women, such as recurrent vaginal yeast infections, severe pelvic inflammatory disease, and cervical cancer. Women‘s metabolic responses to antiretroviral therapy may differ from those of men. Socially, women, especially young women, may be more vulnerable because they have difficulty negotiating protective sex due to power differentials. Women infected with HIV may have more difficulty accessing health care, possibly burdened by lack of financial resources, lack of transportation, or an added responsibility of caring for others, especially children.
It is becoming more and more apparent that effectiveness of future HIV prevention efforts will depend, in part, on how well these efforts address the epidemic in women.