Why We Need to Rethink HIV Care for Women of Color

The persistent HIV epidemic continues to disproportionately affect Black women in the U.S., even though effective treatments and prevention methods, such as PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), have been available for over a decade. BlackDoctor.org spoke with Dr. Toyin Nwafor, Senior Medical Director for HIV Prevention at ViiV Healthcare to discuss the key strategies for combating stigma, improving care, and transforming the conversation around HIV.  The Need for Awareness Among Healthcare Providers ViiV Healthcare recently presented the “Catalyst for Change Revolutionizing the HIV Prevention Conversation” at this year’s National Medical Association Convention and Scientific Assembly (NMA). One of the primary objectives of the session was to bring awareness to healthcare professionals (HCPs) about the ongoing HIV epidemic, particularly among Black women and other women of color. Despite significant advancements in HIV prevention and treatment, there is still a considerable knowledge gap. Many HCPs may not be fully aware that 1 in 5 new HIV infections in the U.S. occur in women, and nearly half of these infections are in Black women. “Half of these new infections among women are in Black women, with nearly 70 percent occurring among women of color when you include Latina women,” Dr. Nwafor notes.  Dr. Nwafor, who...