The paucity of research conducted on lesbians and women of color is also an area of concern. After strong and collective advocacy efforts by consumers and advocates the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expanded the AIDS definition in 1993 to include some female specific symptoms. The number of women living with AIDS in the United States continues to increase. In 1993 there were 24,323 reported AIDS cases among women. This number grew to 115,907 in 1998.
Women continue to be understudied, underreported and underdiagnosed.
The majority of federally funded studies involving women are focused on HIV transmission and pregnancy. Community health centers. Physical and logistical factors which include the proximity of health services to where women live and the availability of transportation can determine access to health care. Community health centers would provide an affordable and readily available option for women. Advocate for more research in the area of women's health and women's health care, including minority populations.