ANAC celebrates Women's and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

National Women and Girls

HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day reminds us that HIV still affects women and girls across the United States, and far too many do not receive timely testing, treatment or prevention services.

Women, especially Black and Latina women, continue to face significant disparities in HIV care and outcomes. We see every day how education, early diagnosis and compassionate care change lives. This day calls us to expand access to care and ensure every woman and girl has the knowledge and support she needs to protect her health.

Hear from ANAC member Jessica Wells on why she thinks this day is important for women's health.

Jessica Wells, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC, FAAN (She/Her)

Associate Professor, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University

Years as an ANAC member: 10

Local chapter: Atlanta Chapter

What does National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day mean to you?

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is a day to bring awareness to women, trans women, and girls who are often left out of the HIV conversation. Women make up about 19% of new HIV diagnoses in the US. Of particular concern, Black women make up 49% of new HIV diagnoses among women, followed by Hispanic women who represent 24% of new HIV diagnoses. HIV is up to 99% preventable via pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). However, less than 10% of women are prescribed PrEP—and only 1% of Black women are prescribed PrEP—all suboptimal rates.

As a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, I am a champion of incorporating HIV testing and HIV prevention via PrEP into annual well-woman exams. Given the highest prevalence of new HIV diagnoses occurs among women 24-34 years of age, it is important to establish trust with women through open and honest conversations about HIV, which will also help de-stigmatize HIV, a significant barrier for many to get tested and treated. I never underestimate the power of a single honest conversation — it can be the difference between a woman walking away uninformed or walking out knowing her status, with a PrEP prescription, and/or empowered with a plan.

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is an opportunity to recognize and reaffirm the importance of equitable access to HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and care for women, trans women, and girls worldwide. I appreciate the ANAC community because it brings together diverse professionals and advocates to ensure the fight to end HIV/AIDS is representative of all communities and all voices are amplified, including women affected by HIV. I leave this advice to the next generation of HIV professionals and advocates entering the field: center the communities most impacted—Black women, Hispanic women, trans women—not as an afterthought, but as the foundation of your work.

Resources:

https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/group/gender/women/diagnoses.html

https://aidsvu.org/resources/toolkits/national-women-and-girls-hiv-aids-awareness-day-toolkit-2026/

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