Thursday, April 18, marks National Transgender HIV Testing Day ( #NTHTD and# TransHIV ) 2024, a day that highlights the importance of routine HIV testing, prevention and treatment among transgender individuals, who often face unique barriers to care.
In the United States, about 1. 6 million persons identify as transgender, 300,000 of whom are between 13 and 17 years older, according to the Williams Institute. This results in 0. 5 % of U. S. people and 1 4 % of children identify as trans.
In 2021, transgender folks accounted for 2 % of new HIV diagnoses ( including all populations, genders and sexualities, about 36,100 people tested HIV positive in 2021 ). 89 % of all trans people’s new diagnoses were made up of trans women, and 78 % of those women were Black and Latina.
In 2022, according to AIDS Vu. According to a report released by .org, which compiles HIV data into interactive maps and sharable graphics, “64 % of transgender men and 73 % of transgender women living with HIV did not reach the federal poverty level. In 2021, transgender people who live with HIV also reported higher rates of poverty or unpredictable housing than cis males or cis women who live with HIV. ”
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Transgender Justice Initiative’s Director of Community Engagement and the first Black transgender woman to be elected to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS ( PACHA ) are also interviewed in its# TransHIV coverage.
A crucial first step in receiving timely HIV treatment is HIV testing, which is also a crucial component of the HIV prevention plan. Trans people frequently encounter barriers to accessing health care because of stigmatization or stigma and discrimination associated with HIV, which prevent people from getting into the program.
In 2023, “Let’s Stop HIV Together, ” the national campaign of the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U. S. , program and the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, launched TakeMeHome, a system that mails completely HIV self-test kits anywhere in the state. The system has delivered more than 350,000 products nationwide.
The TakeMeHome web answers common inquiries about HIV testing, prevention, benefits and more. By 2028, the system hopes to have distributed one million HIV self-test products. In just three minutes, complete a form, and a system will be delivered to you in a discreet package within a few days.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ), there are about 1. 2 million people are at high risk for HIV exposure, and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis ( PrEP ) can help them with effective HIV prevention strategies. Although a large number of transgender women are aware of PrEP, fewer, according to AIDS Vu, are using it.
For example, a 2021 CDC Special Report found that 92 % of trans women in Atlanta know about PrEP, but only 23 % use it. In Seattle, 82 % of trans women are aware of PrEP, but just 17 % use the prevention tool.
Use #NTHTD or# StopHIVTogether on social media to promote the importance of keeping track of your HIV reputation as a trans people through regular screening this National Transgender HIV Testing Day.
To learn more about different HIV consciousness days, including a timeline you can save and print, explore “2024 HIV/AIDS Awareness Days. ”
