HIV and Women: Combating Stigma with New Treatments

In honor of Women's History Month and National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, we are highlighting clinical research focused on HIV care and prevention for women. Erica Kill and Ashley Toomey, two research coordinators from Mills Clinical Research, along with Dr. Manuel Pardo, physician and HIV specialist, join us in this month’s episode to discuss the current state of HIV care for women. Women account for 20% of new HIV infections in the U.S. today, but women in the general population remain largely unaware of their risk due to poor sexual education. Furthermore, women living with HIV are less likely to get tested or adhere to treatment due to fear of stigma. Fortunately, with promising advancements in HIV medicine, women and people living with HIV can soon have access to treatment options that grant more privacy. Erica, Ashley, and Dr. Pardo are here to reiterate the important role that women play in taking these advancements even further to ensure that future generations can live in an HIV-free world. In this episode you will hear about:1. The impact of HIV on women2. The underrepresentation and importance of women in HIV research3. Lack of awareness and stigma as major barriers for women4. Promise of long-acting injectable PrEP5. Benefits of participating in clinical trials 6. Calls for self-advocacy and actionRead a transcript of this episode on our website.The information and opinions shared in this podcast are for educational purposes only. For medical advice, please talk with your primary care physician or a medically licensed professional.