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CDC estimates that 56,300 new HIV infections occurred in the United States in 2006. Populations of minority races/ethnicities are disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic.

Women have unique issues and special challenges that make it harder for them to prevent HIV or take care of themselves if they have HIV.

Women can give HIV to their babies. Women who have HIV can give it to their babies during

• pregnancy
• delivery
• breast-feeding

Women's bodies are different.

• A woman is twice as likely as a man to get HIV infection during vaginal sex (because the lining of the vagina provides a large area of potential exposure to HIV-infected semen).
• Some diseases or disorders unique to women make HIV more serious.

Women may lack control in relationships.

• Scared to say no to sex
• Scared to insist their partner (husband or boyfriend) use a condom
• Can’t talk to their partner about
  • abstinence (not having sex)
  • faithfulness (having only one sex partner)
  • using condoms
• Don't know if their partner is doing things that put him (and therefore her) at risk for HIV

Women may not earn much money, which makes it hard for them to pay doctors or even get a ride to their doctor appointments. In extreme instances, some women even end up trading sex for money or drugs.

Women may have to find someone to take care of their children while they go to the doctor.

Women may be caregivers for others and not feel they have the time to take care of themselves.

Some women are even afraid to tell their doctors they have HIV, fearing they won’t get good treatment.

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