Although the number of infections among women is still thankfully small, the rapid increase in cases in the past few years is alarming. Women are one of the fastest growing populations being infected with HIV, and the number of AIDS cases among women is doubling every 1 to 2 years. 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.
Injection drug use among women has not been studied adequately. Most drug treatment programs are staffed by men and oriented towards 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. Women are capable of protecting themselves against HIV infection, but a lot more can be done to support them.