Women in Australia are frequently diagnosed late with HIV, a trend that persists despite a reduction in new cases among other groups. This ongoing issue highlights a critical disparity in public health outcomes.
Key Statistics and Disparities
According to the Kirby Institute's 2024 surveillance report, approximately 4,400 women live with HIV in Australia, with around 100 new diagnoses each year. A significant concern is the rate of reduction in new cases: while new HIV cases for Australian-born men who have sex with men decreased by 54% between 2015-2024, the reduction for women was only 5%, indicating negligible change.
A late diagnosis is defined as testing positive for HIV more than four years after infection.
Nationally, 38% of Australians with HIV receive a late diagnosis. However, this figure is significantly higher for women.
Nationally, 38% of Australians with HIV receive a late diagnosis; this figure rises to 44% for women, 46% for heterosexual women, and 56% for women born overseas.
Factors Contributing to Late Diagnosis
A primary factor contributing to late diagnosis is an oversight in the healthcare system. Healthcare professionals, including GPs, often do not offer HIV tests to female patients, partly due to the predominant association of HIV with gay men. This oversight means women may not be tested until their symptoms become severe, often long after the initial infection.
Individuals like Heather Ellis, who was diagnosed after an overseas encounter, exemplify how such experiences can be overlooked in routine healthcare. Late diagnosis carries significant health risks, including severe illness, infection-related cancers, and cognitive impairment, due to a depleted immune system.
Efforts to Improve Awareness and Reduce Stigma
To address this persistent issue, the National Association of People with HIV Australia and Positive Women Victoria have collaborated to create "Women & HIV Today," an audiovisual education tool. This resource aims to educate medical students, dentists, nurses, and doctors about women living with HIV, focusing on early diagnosis, treatment advancements, and reducing stigma. The project, led by Heather Ellis, underscores the power of sharing lived experiences to enhance healthcare workers' understanding and empathy.
Modern antiretroviral treatments allow people with HIV to live healthy lives and effectively eliminate the risk of transmission, including to babies during pregnancy.
Access to treatment is crucial for quality of life, longevity, and reducing population-level transmission. To achieve better outcomes for women, experts advocate for normalizing discussions around HIV and sexual health to ensure services are accessible and to remove the stigma that often hinders testing and early intervention.