Transgender women have a higher risk of HIV infections. A new CDC report reveals

[traciknight]

Transgender women have a higher risk of HIV infections. A new CDC report reveals why

For complete story
https://www.yahoo.com/news/transgender-women-higher-risk-hiv-171736035.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall

Sun, January 28, 2024 at 11:17 AM CST by Ryan Adamczeski in The Advocate

While transgender women have disproportionately high rates of HIV, the population has been routinely left out of critical research involving infection prevention measures. A new study is finally beginning to bridge the gap.

For the first time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveyed transgender women in order to gather data and assess preventative measures for HIV cases in the community. The results, published Tuesday in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, shed a light on the causes behind the rate of infections.

The report found that the disproportionate rate is caused by lack of access to preventative HIV medication used in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as well as "homelessness, discrimination and the association between employment discrimination and health care access and use, and social support and the association between certain types of violence and harassment (gender-based verbal and physical abuse or harassment, physical intimate partner abuse or harassment, and sexual violence)."

Of the approximately 1,600 U.S. transgender women who responded to the survey, 42 percent tested positive for HIV. Broken down by race, 62 percent of Black trans women, 35 percent of Hispanic and Latina trans women, and 17 percent of white trans women tested positive.
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While the CDC recognizes that the disproportionate rate of infection is due to lack of access to preventative HIV medications used in pre-exposure prophylaxis, what the article fails to mention until later, is a major vector of transmission is unprotected sex. Just a reminder that unless you are in a monogamous, committed relationship, unprotected sex can leave you vulnerable to many STIs. Please be careful sisters and brothers.

[Zoey Starr]

I have been on PreP for 4 years. My co-pay is $0. Insurance companies in the US are required to provide PreP at a $0 co-pay to high-risk individuals. All insurance obtained through the Exchanges under the Affordable Care Act offers Generic Truvada at a $0 co-pay. If insurance is not willing to pay then push harder and report the company. The required quarterly labs are usually also provided at a $0 co-pay because they are considered preventative. I am in a monogamous relationship but have been drugged and raped twice. It can happen to you so protect yourself with PreP.