Transgender communities in the United States are among the groups at highest risk for HIV infection. HIV prevalence for transgender women was nearly 50 times higher than other adults. Additionally, there are large racial and ethnic disparities among transgender women: approximately 90% of transgender women newly diagnosed with HIV infection were blacks/African Americans or Latinos. Individual behaviors alone do not account for the high burden of HIV infection among transgender people. Many cultural, socioeconomic, and health-related factors contribute to the HIV epidemic and prevention challenges in U.S. transgender communities.  

As part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC's) Act Against AIDS Initiative, AIR works with the CDC to adapt existing and develop new HIV prevention and communication materials for healthcare providers and community-based organizations that treat transgender populations. Focusing particularly on black/African-American and Hispanic/Latina transgender women, these materials seek to strengthen the provision of transgender health services. They aim to reduce HIV acquisition for transgender persons at high risk who are HIV negative, increase linkage and retention to care for transgender people living with HIV, and reduce stigma related to HIV and gender identity.

This work is part of the CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention.