Americans and Hispanics, and persons exposed to HIV through hetereosexual contact. HIV infection is the fourth leading cause of death among women aged 25-44 nationwide. In 1992, for the first time in the US, heterosexual contact replaced injection drug use as the leading source of HIV infection for women. The majority of these women were infected as adolescents or young adults. Prevention programs for adolescents should be a high priority.
Sexual coercion places many women at risk.
Public health agencies need to raise public awareness about sexual coercion and help women and men develop the skills to prevent it. Injection drug use among women has not been studied adequately. Most drug treatment programs are staffed by men and oriented toward male clients. Allowing pregnant women to enroll in drug treatment, and allowing women to bring children with them would be helpful. Treatment programs sensitive to women, especially African-American and Latina women, are an urgent necessity.