Effectively Addressing Human Immunodeficiency Virus Disparities Affecting US Black Women

Abstract

Black women have disproportionately higher rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and low percentages being linked to care and becoming virally suppressed, compared with women of other races/ethnicities. To date, few evidence-based HIV prevention and care interventions tailored for black women exist. We highlight three essential factors to consider in designing culturally and gender-appropriate studies to address HIV-related disparities affecting black women: (1) social determinants of HIV risk, (2) determinants of equity, and (3) perceptions of black women's sexuality. Synergy between a strong evidence base and developing strong partnerships could accelerate progress toward HIV-related health equity for black women.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Reproductive Health Services and Outcomes, 2020

“…For this commentary, we reviewed and summarized (Table 1 ) recent national estimates for several reproductive health measures using a PubMed review (2010–2020), including services (contraceptive use, 29 – 37 Pap tests, 38 – 40 mammogram screening, 39 – 45 late or no prenatal care, 46 – 48 chlamydia screening, 49 – 54 human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] treatment 55 – 60 ) and outcomes (unintended pregnancy, 61 – 63 induced abortions, 64 – 66 preterm births, 67 – 69 breastfeeding initiation, 10 , 70 – 73 maternal mortality, 15 , 74 – 82 cervical cancer, 83 – 85 endometrial cancer deaths, 86 , 87 HIV diagnoses 88 , 89 ) by race–ethnicity (Black, Hispanic, and White, as classified by the authors of the studies, and examined, because we are exploring racial–ethnic disparities). By highlighting the current racial–ethnic disparities in reproductive health, our goal was to show that there are opportunities to strengthen access and care for women, toward improved reproductive health equity (Fig.…”

“…Multiple approaches are needed to address these alarming HIV diagnosis disparities, including addressing disproportionate poverty through microfinance interventions, ensuring equitable access to educational and career opportunities and reproductive health care access, and increasing access to biomedical prevention interventions, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis. 88 , 89 Data show that Black women are less likely to be prescribed pre-exposure prophylaxis, a known, evidence-based approach to HIV prevention, compared with White women and men. 94 Increasing pre-exposure prophylaxis bias-awareness is one additional strategy to increase pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake among at-risk Black women who are HIV-negative.…”

Student Perspectives on Dismantling Racial Bias in Pharmacy School Education

“…For instance, Black women are linked to care at lower percentages than their white counterparts and have lower rates of pre-exposure prophylaxis use primarily due to a lack of targeted messaging and thus unawareness in their communities. 6 It is important students understand these correlations between race, access to care, and prevalence of HIV. We encourage educators to be intentional and explicit with their use of race/ethnicity across all curricular materials by using geographic ancestral origin when discussing genetic risk and ensuring consistent contextualization.…”

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Reproductive Health Services and Outcomes, 2020

“…Multiple approaches are needed to address these alarming HIV diagnosis disparities, including addressing disproportionate poverty through microfinance interventions, ensuring equitable access to educational and career opportunities and reproductive health care access, and increasing access to biomedical prevention interventions, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis. 88,89 Data show that Black women are less likely to be prescribed pre-exposure prophylaxis, a known, evidence-based approach to HIV prevention, compared with White women and men. 94 Increasing pre-exposure prophylaxis bias-awareness is one additional strategy to increase pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake among at-risk Black women who are HIVnegative.…”