Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Transgender Persons

Cassie G Ackerley; Tonia Poteat; Colleen F Kelley

doi:10.1016/j.ecl.2019.02.007

Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Transgender Persons

Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2019 Jun;48(2):453-464. doi: 10.1016/j.ecl.2019.02.007. Epub 2019 Mar 23.

Authors

Cassie G Ackerley¹, Tonia Poteat², Colleen F Kelley³

Affiliations

¹ Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; The Hope Clinic of the Emory Vaccine Center, 500 Irvin Ct, Suite 200, Decatur, GA 30030, USA. Electronic address: cmgrims@emory.edu.
² Center for Health Equity Research, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, 333 South Columbia Street, 345B MacNider Hall, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA.
³ Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; The Hope Clinic of the Emory Vaccine Center, 500 Irvin Ct, Suite 200, Decatur, GA 30030, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.

PMID: 31027552
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecl.2019.02.007

Abstract

Worldwide, transgender populations are disproportionately affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Pervasive stigma and discrimination impact social and economic determinants of health, which perpetuate HIV disparities among transgender individuals. This article reviews the prevalence of HIV infection among transgender populations and presents psychosocial, behavioral, and individual level factors that contribute to HIV acquisition. The authors provide practical recommendations regarding a patient-centered approach to HIV/sexually transmitted infection risk assessment. The role of preexposure prophylaxis utilization in preventing the transmission of HIV is discussed as well as the current data on HIV treatment outcomes for transgender people living with HIV.

Keywords: Gender identity; HIV; HIV care continuum; Hormone therapy; Preexposure prophylaxis; Sexual risk behavior; Sexually transmitted infections; Transgender.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Anti-Retroviral Agents / therapeutic use*
HIV Infections* / drug therapy
HIV Infections* / prevention & control
Hormone Replacement Therapy*
Humans
Transgender Persons*
Transsexualism* / drug therapy

Substances

Anti-Retroviral Agents

Grants and funding

T32 DK108735/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States