HIV and Women: Viral Suppression and Barriers to Care
Data for 2020 should be interpreted with caution due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to HIV testing, care-related services, and case surveillance activities in state and local jurisdictions. While 2020 data on HIV diagnoses and prevention and care outcomes are available, we are not updating this web content with data from these reports.
Viral suppression is one of the six Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. indicators. Viral suppression refers to the percentage of people with diagnosed HIV who have less than 200 copies of HIV per milliliter of blood.
It is important for women to know their HIV status so they can take medicine to treat HIV if they have the virus. Taking HIV medicine every day can make the viral load undetectable. People who get and keep an undetectable viral load (or remain virally suppressed) can stay healthy for many years and will not transmit HIV to their sex partners.
* Based on sex assigned at birth.
† Had 2 viral load or CD4 tests at least 3 months apart in a year.
‡ Based on most recent viral load test.
Source: CDC. Monitoring selected national HIV prevention and care objectives by using HIV surveillance data United States and 6 dependent areas, 2019. HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report. 2021;26(2).
Although many people taking HIV medicine are virally suppressed, some people with HIV who are taking HIV medicine are currently not virally suppressed or do not maintain viral suppression over time. Some challenges with achieving and maintaining viral suppression include missing multiple doses of HIV treatment, missing medical appointments, or needing other important health care services.
Data for transgender women are not included because the numbers are too small to report.
* Based on current gender identity.
† Among people aged 18 and older.
Visit the terminology section for terms and definitions.
Source: CDC. Medical Monitoring Project.
Data for transgender women are not included because the numbers are too small to report.
* Based on current gender identity.
† Among people aged 18 and older.
Visit the terminology section for terms and definitions.
Source: CDC. Medical Monitoring Project.
Data for transgender women are not included because the numbers are too small to report.
* Based on current gender identity.
† Among people aged 18 and older.
‡ HIV ancillary care services, such as case management and mental health services, are services that support retention in HIV care.
Visit the terminology section for terms and definitions.
Source: CDC. Medical Monitoring Project.
Data for transgender women are not included because the numbers are too small to report.
* Based on current gender identity.
† Among people aged 18 and older.
Visit the terminology section for terms and definitions.
Source: CDC. Medical Monitoring Project.
Social and economic issues—such as stigma and homelessness—have also prevented some women from getting the HIV care and treatment they need.
Data for transgender women are not included because the numbers are too small to report.
* Based on current gender identity.
† Among people aged 18 and older.
Visit the terminology section for terms and definitions.
Source: CDC. Medical Monitoring Project.
Data for transgender women are not included because the numbers are too small to report.
Median HIV stigma scores are presented based on a ten-item scale ranging from 0 (no stigma) to 100 (high stigma) that measures personalized stigma, disclosure concerns, negative self-image, and perceived public attitudes about people with HIV.
* Based on current gender identity.
† Among people aged 18 and older.
Visit the terminology section for terms and definitions.
Source: CDC. Medical Monitoring Project.
Deaths
In 2019, there were 3,710 deaths among women with diagnosed HIV in the US and dependent areas. These deaths could be from any cause.
Cisgender: A person whose sex assigned at birth is the same as their gender identity or expression.
Gender expression: A person’s outward presentation of their gender (for example, how they dress).
Gender identity: A person’s internal understanding of their own gender.
Transgender: A person whose gender identity or expression is different from their sex assigned at birth.
- CDC. Behavioral and clinical characteristics of persons with diagnosed HIV infection—Medical Monitoring Project, United States, 2019 cycle (June 2019–May 2020). HIV Surveillance Special Report 2021;28.
- CDC. Diagnoses of HIV infection in the United States and dependent areas, 2019. HIV Surveillance Report 2021;32.
- CDC. Estimated HIV incidence and prevalence in the United States, 2015-2019 [PDF – 3 MB]. HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report 2021;26(1).
- CDC. HIV infection risk, prevention, and testing behaviors among heterosexually active adults at increased risk for HIV infection–National HIV Behavioral Surveillance – 23 U.S. Cities, 2019 [PDF – 3 MB]. HIV Surveillance Special Report 2021; 26.
- CDC. HIV infection risk, prevention, and testing behaviors among persons who inject drugs–National HIV Behavioral Surveillance: injection drug use – 23 U.S. Cities, 2018 [PDF – 2 MB]. HIV Surveillance Special Report 2020; 24.
- CDC. Monitoring selected national HIV prevention and care objectives by using HIV surveillance data—United States and 6 dependent areas, 2019. HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report 2021;26(2).
