So often the attention in the media, when it comes t HIV/AIDS is focused on gay men. This week, a report crossed my news feed that talks about HIV and the Trans* community, and I wanted to make you, my readers aware of it.

Here are the facts from the CDC report:

• Transgender women are at high risk for HIV infection.
• By race/ethnicity, black/African American transgender women have the highest percentage of new HIV-positive test results.
• Efforts are under way to improve the quality of HIV data collected on transgender communities.

The report identifies nine specific prevention challenges that are unique to the Trans* community. One is something I’ve heard directly from young men of color who identify as gay or Trans*:

Police policies can conflict with public health initiatives. For example, some law enforcement officers and agencies view the presence of condoms as evidence of sex work, even though public health initiatives identify condoms as a way to prevent HIV infection.

Much like with the “war on drugs,” public policy and police action can increase the problem rather than preventing it. In the case of drugs, here in PA, having needles is a crime, and this hinders needle exchange programs which have been shown to be a proven tool in decreasing spread of HIV/AIDS.

A solution regarding the Trans* community, is to stop profiling and casting blame by association. Additionally policies regarding getting identification which matches a persons chosen name and gender can make it easier for Trans* persons to find employment.

HIV?AIDS is preventable and the epidemic can be stopped if we can find ways to overcome the prevention obstacles.