Women

Updated May 2005

The number of women with HIV/AIDS in the U.S. has steadily increased since 1999, resulting in 170,679 AIDS cases since the beginning of the epidemic. In 2003, 88,815 women were living with AIDS in the country, confirming the debilitating effects of the epidemic on this specific population. Women-particularly women of color- face an increased risk for HIV infection. Lacking knowledge of female reproductive health and difficulties in accessing needed health care and HIV treatment further contribute to the steady increase in cases. In addition, women living with HIV/AIDS experience difficulties in managing their medical conditions due to familial responsibilities and thus, face an increased likelihood of further complications. The linkage between heterosexual contact and drug use as HIV risk factors is not to be overlooked; in 2003, sixty-one percent of women living with AIDS had contracted the virus through heterosexual contact and 36% through injection drug use. Furthermore, many women contract the virus through sexual contact with injection drug users or without accurate knowledge of HIV-risk behaviors. Young women, between ages 13 and 24 and women of color-particularly African American and Latina women-are also less likely to seek or have access to preventative HIV education and programs on healthy practices, thus raising HIV morbidity rates in their communities. Consequently, both female adolescents and adults are less likely to be aware of preventatives such as female contraception, microbicides and precautions involving sexual practices and drug use. The following resources directly address issues involving women and the HIV/AIDS crisis through social and clinical research, direct services, and capacity-building community initiatives.

Organizations

Center for Women Policy Studies (CWPS)

www.centerwomenpolicy.org

The Center is a policy research and advocacy institution that seeks to incorporate the perspectives of women into public policies that ensure their just and equitable treatment. The Center's current programs include a Women and AIDS Policy component. CWPS produces several publications including an "Affiliates Quarterly Report" which provides information on women's issues, including regular coverage of issues involving women and HIV/AIDS.

EngenderHealth

www.engenderhealth.org

EngenderHealth works worldwide to improve the lives of individuals by making reproductive health services safe, available, and sustainable. This website contains informational pages on women's health and HIV/AIDS, as well as newsletters and working papers, which can be downloaded online at www.engenderhealth.org/pubs/index.html

Funders Network on Population, Reproductive Health and Rights

www.fundersnet.org

The Funders Network is a network of grantmakers who address issues of population, reproductive health and reproductive rights, both domestically and internationally. Its members approach their work with a wide variety of concerns, priorities and strategies, but they share a common goal: to ensure that all people have access to the information and services they need to manage their own fertility and protect and promote their sexual and reproductive health. To that end, the Funders Network seeks to improve communication, foster collaboration, and enhance the overall effectiveness of grantmakers in this field.

Ms. Foundation for Women

www.ms.foundation.org

The Ms. Foundation has a strong record of crafting creative and effective grantmaking, training, and public education strategies to create and improve economic opportunities for women in the United States; safeguard women's health & safety; and help girls sustain their self-confidence and vitality. Their Women and AIDS Fund aims to change the disparities in resources for women who are affected by HIV/AIDS by providing crucial financial and technical assistance to organizations that support and advocate for women affected by this disease.

National AIDS Treatment Advocacy Project (NATAP)

www.natap.org

NATAP's mission is to educate individuals about HIV and Hepatitis treatments and to advocate on the behalf of all people living with HIV/AID and HCV. This website provides relevant articles and resources on Women and HIV.

Women Alive

www.women-alive.org

Women Alive is a coalition based out of LA of, by and for women living with HIV/AIDS. The organization sets a high standard of quality care for women with HIV/AIDS and their publication "Knowledge, Action, Health . . . a Woman's Guide to HIV Treatments" has been distributed across the United States and in over 30 countries worldwide.

Publications

A Guide to the Clinical Care with Women with HIV/AIDS. Anderson J M.D. (Ed). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, HIV/AIDS Bureau. 2001.

Ciambrone, D. Women's Experiences with HIV/AIDS: Mending Fractured Selves. Haworth Press. 2003.

Clark, RA, Maupin R, Hayes Hammer J. A Woman's Guide to Living with HIV Infection. Johns Hopkins University Press. 2004.

Hogan, K. Women Take Care: Gender, Race, and the Culture of AIDS. Cornell University Press. 2001.

Sanders-Phillips, K. "Factors Influencing HIV/AIDS in Women of Color." Public Health Rep 117: Suppl. 1 (2001): S151-S156.