Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Diagnosed HIV Infection in Transgender Adults and Adolescents: Results from the National HIV Surveillance System, 2009–2014

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
AIDS and Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Publications on diagnosed HIV infection among transgender people have been limited to state- or local-level data. We analyzed data from the National HIV Surveillance System and present results from the first national-level analysis of transgender people with diagnosed HIV infection. From 2009 to 2014, HIV surveillance jurisdictions from 45 states plus the District of Columbia identified and reported at least one case of newly diagnosed HIV infection for transgender people; jurisdictions from 5 states reported no cases for transgender people. Of 2351 transgender people with newly diagnosed HIV infection during 2009–2014, 84.0% were transgender women (male-to-female), 15.4% were transgender men (female-to-male), and 0.7% were additional gender identity (e.g., gender queer, bi-gender). Over half of both transgender women (50.8%; 1002/1974) and men (58.4%; 211/361) with newly diagnosed HIV infection were non-Hispanic black/African American. Improvements in data collection methods and quality are needed to gain a better understanding of HIV burden among transgender people.

Resumen

Las publicaciones sobre el diagnóstico de la infección por VIH entre personas transgénero se han limitado a los datos estatales o locales. Analizamos los datos del Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia del VIH y presentamos los resultados del primer análisis a nivel nacional de personas transgénero con diagnóstico de infección por VIH. Del 2009 al 2014, las jurisdicciones de vigilancia del VIH de 45 estados más el Distrito de Columbia identificaron y reportaron al menos un caso de infección de VIH recientemente diagnosticada en personas transgénero; Jurisdicciones de 5 estados no reportaron casos en personas transgénero. De las 2.351 personas transgénero con infección por el VIH recién diagnosticada durante el período 2009-2014, el 84,0% eran mujeres transgénero (hombre a mujer), el 15,4% hombres transgéneros (mujer a hombre) y el 0,7% (género queer, bi-género). Más de la mitad de las mujeres (50,8%; 1002/1974) y los hombres (58,4%; 211/361) transgénero con infección por el VIH recientemente diagnosticada eran negros/afroamericanos. Se necesitan mejoras en los métodos de recopilación de datos y en la calidad de los datos para comprender mejor la cantidad de VIH en la población transgénero.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. GLAAD. GLAAD Media Reference Guide. 9th ed. August 2014. http://www.glaad.org/reference. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

  2. Tate CC, Ledbetter JN, Youssef CP. A two-question method for assessing gender categories in the social and medical sciences. J Sex Res. 2012;50(8):767–76.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. White House Office of National HIV/AIDS Policy. The National HIV/AIDS Strategy: Updated to 2020. https://www.aids.gov/federal-resources/national-hiv-aids-strategy/nhas-update.pdf. Published July 2015. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

  4. Baral SD, Poteat T, Strömdahl S, et al. Worldwide burden of HIV in transgender women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Infect Dis. 2013;13:214–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. CDC. CDC-Funded HIV Testing: United, States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, 2013. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/reports/index.html. Published June 2015. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

  6. California Department of Public Health, Office of AIDS, HIV/AIDS Surveillance Section. HIV/AIDS Statistics 2013. Data as of December 23, 2014. http://www.cdph.ca.gov/data/statistics/Pages/OAHIVAIDSStatistics.aspx. Published January 1, 2015. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

  7. Division of HIV and STD Programs, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. 2013 Annual HIV Surveillance Report. http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/dhsp/Reports/HIV/2013AnnualHIVSurveillanceReport.pdf. Published April 2014. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

  8. San Francisco Department of Public Health. HIV Semi-annual Surveillance Report - HIV Cases Reported through June 2015. https://www.sfdph.org/dph/files/reports/default.asp. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

  9. San Francisco Department of Public Health. Population Health Division. HIV Epidemiology Section. HIV Epidemiology Annual Report 2014. https://www.sfdph.org/dph/comupg/oprograms/HIVepiSec/HIVepiSecReports.asp. Published August 2015. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

  10. Houston Department of Health and Human Services. The 2013 Houston Area Integrated Epidemiologic Profile for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care Services Planning. Reporting period: January 1 to December 31, 2011. http://www.houstontx.gov/health/HIV-STD/2013_Epi_Profile%20–APPROVED–05-09-13.pdf. Updated May 21, 2013. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

  11. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Community Health, HIV, Body Art, Tuberculosis, Viral Hepatitis Section, Bureau of Disease Control, Prevention and Epidemiology. HIV among transgender persons in Michigan. http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdhhs/Transgender_504239_7.pdf. Published 2015. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

  12. New York City HIV/AIDS Surveillance Slide Sets. New York: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 2014. HIV/AIDS among transgender persons in New York City, 2010–2014. http://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/data/data-sets/epi-surveillance-slide-sets.page. Updated February 2016. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

  13. Wiewel EW, Torian LV, Merchant P, et al. HIV diagnoses and care among transgender persons and comparison with men who have sex with men: New York City, 2006–2011. Am J Public Health. 2015: e1–e6.

  14. HIV/AIDS Epidemiology Unit, Public Health – Seattle & King County and the Infectious Disease Assessment Unit, Washington State Department of Health. HIV/AIDS Epidemiology Report 2015, Volume 84. www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/communicable/hiv/epi.aspx. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

  15. Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health, AIDS/HIV Program. Wisconsin HIV/AIDS Surveillance Annual Review: New diagnoses, prevalent cases, and deaths through December 31, 2015. https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p0/p00484.pdf. Published April 2016. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

  16. Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health, HIV/AIDS Surveillance Program, Office of Public Health Informatics and Epidemiology, Bureau of Community Services. Nevada HIV/AIDS Epidemiologic Profile, 2009–2013. http://dpbh.nv.gov/Programs/HIV-OPHIE/dta/Publications/HIV/AIDS_Surveillance_Program_(HIV-OPHIE)_-_Publications/. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

  17. Wiewel EW, Torian LV, Merchant P, et al. Transgender persons with HIV in New York City (NYC): Implementation of HIV surveillance, number of new diagnoses of HIV, linkage to care, viral suppression, and comparison with men who have sex with men. 2014 CSTE Annual Conference; Abstract# 2712. Presented June 24, 2014.

  18. Division of HIV and STD Programs, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Los Angeles County Transgender Population Estimates 2012. http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/dhsp/Reports.htm. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

  19. Herbst JH, Jacobs ED, Finlayson TJ, et al. Estimating HIV prevalence and risk behaviors of transgender persons in the United States: a systematic review. AIDS Behav. 2008;12(1):1–17.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Habarta N, Wang G, Mulatu MS, Larish N. HIV testing by transgender status at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-funded sites in the United States, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands, 2009–2011. Am J Public Health. 2015;105:1917–25.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Wilson EC, Chen Y, Arayasirikul S, et al. Differential HIV risk for racial/ethnic minority trans*female youths and socioeconomic disparities in housing, residential stability, and education. Am J Public Health. 2015;105:e41–7.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  22. Nuttbrock L, Hwahng S, Bockting W, et al. Lifetime risk factors for HIV/sexually transmitted infections among male-to-female transgender persons. J Acquir Immun Def Syndr. 2009;52(3):417–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Reback C, Fletcher JB. HIV prevalence, substance use, and sexual risk behaviors among transgender women recruited through outreach. AIDS Behav. 2014;18:1359–67.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  24. De Santis JP. HIV infection risk factors among male-to-female transgender persons: a review of the literature. JANAC. 2009;20(5):362–72.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Rowniak S, Chesla C, Dawson Rose C, Holzemer WL. Transmen: the HIV risk of gay identity. AIDS Educ Prev. 2011;23(6):508–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Reisner SL, Perkovich B, Mimiaga MJ. A mixed methods study of the sexual health needs of New England transmen who have sex with nontransgender men. AIDS Pat Care and STDs. 2010;24(8):501–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Reisner SL, White JM, Mayer KH, Mimiaga MJ. Sexual risk behaviors and psychosocial health concerns of female-to-male transgender men screening for STDs at an urban community health center. AIDS Care. 2014;26(7):857–64.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Stevens S. Meeting the substance abuse treatment needs of lesbian, bisexual and transgender women: implications from research to practice. Subst Abuse Rehabil. 2012;3(Suppl 1):27–36.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  29. Kellogg T, Clements-Nolle K, Dilley J, et al. Incidence of human immunodeficiency virus among male-to-female transgendered persons in San Francisco. JAIDS. 2001;28:380–4.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Wilson EC, Garofalo R, Harris RD, et al. Transgender female youth and sex work: HIV risk and a comparison of life factors related to engagement in sex work. AIDS Behav. 2009;13(5):902–13.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  31. Sanchez T, Finlayson T, Murrill C, et al. Risk behaviors and psychosocial stressors in the New York City House Ball community: a comparison of men and transgender women who have sex with men. AIDS Behav. 2010;14(2):351–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Shankle MD. The handbook of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender public health: A practitioner’s guide to service. Binghamton: The Haworth Press; 2006.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Bockting W, Avery E, editors. Transgender health and HIV prevention: needs assessment studies from transgender communities across the United States. Binghamton: The Haworth Medical Press; 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Wilson EC, Santos GM, Raymond HF. Sexual mixing and the risk environment of sexually active transgender women: data from a respondent-driven sampling study of HIV risk among transwomen in San Francisco, 2010. BMC Infect Dis. 2014;14:430.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  35. Feldman J, Romine RS, Bockting WO. HIV risk behaviors in the U.S. transgender population: prevalence and predictors in a large internet sample. J Homosex. 2014;61(11):1558–15588.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  36. Poteat T, Wirtz AL, Radix A, et al. HIV risk and preventive interventions in transgender women sex workers. Lancet. 2015;385(9964):274–86.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Santos GM, Rapues J, Wilson EC. Alcohol and substance use among transgender women in San Francisco: prevalence and association with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Drug Alcohol Rev. 2014;33(3):287–95.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Wansom T, Guadamuz TE, Vasan S. Transgender populations and HIV: unique risks, challenges and opportunities. J Virus Erad. 2016;2:87–93.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  39. Garofalo R, Deleon J, Osmer E, et al. Overlooked, misunderstood and at-risk: exploring the lives and HIV risk of ethnic minority male-to-female transgender youth. J Adolescent Health. 2008;38:230–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Brennan J, Kuhns LK, Johnson AK, et al. Syndemic theory and HV-related risk among young transgender women: the role of multiple, co-occurring health problems and social marginalization. Am J Public Health. 2012;102:1751–7.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  41. James SE, Herman JL, Rankin S, et al. The report of the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey. http://www.transequality.org/sites/default/files/docs/USTS-Full-Report-FINAL.PDF. Washington, DC: National Center for Transgender Equality; 2016. Accessed 9 Dec 2016.

  42. Poteat T, Sari L, Reisner SL, Radix A. HIV epidemics among transgender women. Curr Opin HIV AIDS. 2014;9:168–73.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Reisner SL, White JM, Bradford JB, Mimiaga MJ. Transgender health disparities: comparing full cohort and nested matched-pair study designs in a community health center. LGBT Health. 2014;1(3):177–84.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  44. Reisner SL, Bailey Z, Sevelius J. Racial/ethnic disparities in history of incarceration, experiences of victimization, and associated health indicators among transgender women in the U.S. Women Health. 2014;54(8):750–67.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  45. Fletcher JB, Kisler KA, Reback CJ. Housing status and HIV risk behaviors among transgender women in Los Angeles. Arch Sex Behav. 2014;43:1651–61.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  46. Nuttbrock L, Bockting W, Rosenblum A, et al. Gender abuse, depressive symptoms, and HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among male-to-female transgender persons: a three-year prospective study. Am J Public Health. 2013;103:300–7.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  47. Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health Issues and Research Gaps and Opportunities. The health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people: building a foundation for better understanding. Washington, DC: National Academies Press (US); 2011.

  48. Institute of Medicine (US) Board on the Health of Select Populations. Collecting sexual orientation and gender identity data in electronic health records: workshop summary. Washington, DC: National Academies Press (US); 2013.

  49. Gay and Lesbian Medical Association. Healthy People 2010 companion document for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) health. San Francisco, CA: Gay and Lesbian Medical Association, 2001. http://www.glma.org/_data/n_0001/resources/live/HealthyCompanionDoc3.pdf. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

  50. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary’s recommended actions to improve the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. 2011. http://www.hhs.gov/programs/topic-sites/lgbt/index.html. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

  51. The Joint Commission. Advancing effective communication, cultural competence, and patient- and family-centered care for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community: A field guide. Oakbrook Terrace, IL: The Joint Commission, 2011. http://www.jointcommission.org/assets/1/18/LGBTFieldGuide_WEB_LINKED_VER.pdf. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

  52. Sausa LA, Sevelius J, Keatley J, Iñiguez JR, Reyes M. Policy recommendations for inclusive data collection of trans people in HIV prevention, care & services. San Francisco, CA: University of California, San Francisco, Center of Excellence for Transgender HIV Prevention; 2009. http://www.transhealth.ucsf.edu/pdf/data-recommendation.pdf. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

  53. The Fenway Institute. Policy focus: Asking patients questions about sexual orientation and gender identity in clinical settings—a study in four health centers. http://thefenwayinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/COM228_SOGI_CHARN_WhitePaper.pdf. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

  54. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health. Improving data collection for the LGBT community (fact sheet). http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/assets/pdf/checked/1/Fact_Sheet_LGBT.pdf. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

  55. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, LGBT Issues Coordinating Committee. Advancing LGBT health and well being—2014 report. http://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/lgbt/resources/reports/dhhs-lgbt2014annualreport.pdf. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

  56. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Healthy People 2020. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender health. http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-health. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

  57. CDC. Behavioral and Clinical Characteristics of Persons Receiving Medical Care for HIV Infection—Medical Monitoring Project, United States, 2013 Cycle (June 2013–May 2014). HIV Surveillance Special Report 16. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pdf/library/reports/surveillance/cdc-hiv-hssr-mmp-2013.pdf. Published January 2016. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

  58. Health Resources and Services Administration. Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Annual Client-Level Data Report 2014. http://hab.hrsa.gov/data/servicesdelivered/2014RWHAPDataReport.pdf. Published December 2015. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

  59. Baker KE & Hughes M. Sexual orientation and gender identity data collection in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Washington, D.C.: The Center for American Progress. https://cdn.americanprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/29090401/BRFSSdatacollect-brief-03.31.16.pdf. Published March 29, 2016. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

  60. CDC. HIV surveillance supported by the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pdf/prevention_ongoing_surveillance_system_2013.pdf. Published June 2013. Accessed 18 Nov 2015.

  61. CDC. Revised surveillance case definitions for HIV infection among adults, adolescents, and children aged <18 months and for HIV infection and AIDS among children aged 18 months to <13 years—United States, 2008. MMWR. 2008;57((RR-10)):1–12.

    Google Scholar 

  62. CDC. HIV Surveillance Report, 2014; vol. 26. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/reports/surveillance/. Published November 2015. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

  63. Harrison KM, Kajese T, Hall HI, Song R. Risk Factor redistribution of the national HIV/AIDS surveillance data: an alternative approach. Public Health Rep. 2008;123:618–27.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  64. Office of Management and Budget. Revisions to the standards for the classification of federal data on race and ethnicity. Federal Register 1997;62:58781–90. http://go.usa.gov/vSdR. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

  65. Reisner SL, Murchison GR. A global research synthesis of HIV and STI biobehavioural risks in female-to-male transgender adults. Glob Public Health. 2016;11(7–8):866–87.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  66. CDC. Diagnosed HIV infection among adults and adolescents in metropolitan statistical areas—United States and Puerto Rico, 2014. HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report 2016; 21(No. 1). http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/reports/surveillance/. Published May 2016. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

  67. Reif S, Wells Pence B, Hall I, et al. HIV diagnoses, prevalence and outcomes in nine southern states. J Community Health. 2015;40(4):642–51.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. CDC. Monitoring selected national HIV prevention and care objectives by using HIV surveillance data—United States and 6 dependent areas—2013. HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report 2015; 20(No. 2). http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/reports/surveillance/. Published July 2015. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

  69. Deutsch MB, Buchholz D. Electronic health records and transgender patients—Practical recommendations for the collection of gender identity data. J Gen Intern Med. 2015;30(6):843–7.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  70. Deutsch MD, Keatley J, Sevelius J, Shade SB. Collection of gender identity data using electronic medical records: survey of current end-user practices. JANAC. 2014;25(6):657–63.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Sizemore LA, Rebeiro PF, McGoy SL. Improving HIV surveillance among transgender populations in Tennessee. LGBT Health. 2016;3(3):208–13.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  72. Mizuno Y, Frazier EL, Huang P, Skarbinski J. Characteristics of transgender women living with HIV receiving medical care in the United States. LGBT Health. 2015;2(3):228–34.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. Flores AR, Herman JL, Gates GJ, Brown TNT. How many adults identify as transgender in the United States? Los Angeles, CA: The Williams Institute. http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/How-Many-Adults-Identify-as-Transgender-in-the-United-States.pdf. Published June 2016. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

  74. Howden LM, Meyer JA. Age and Sex Composition: 2010. http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-03.pdf. Published May 2011. Accessed 18 Nov 2016.

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the staff of HIV surveillance programs within state and city health departments. Publication of this manuscript would not have been possible without their dedication towards HIV surveillance activities and data collection. The authors thank Dr. Eduardo Valverde of CDC’s National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention for his assistance with Spanish translation. For their review and commentary, the authors thank Dr. Deb Karch, Mrs. Anna Satcher Johnson, Dr. Azfar Sidiqi, and Dr. H. Irene Hall of CDC’s National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, and Dr. Sara Braunstein, Mr. Sonny Ly, and Dr. Lucia Torian of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Finally, the authors would like to acknowledge the dedication, work, and contribution of healthcare providers, community groups, and the transgender community.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hollie Clark.

Ethics declarations

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Ethical approval

This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors. The findings and conclusions in this manuscript are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Clark, H., Babu, A., Wiewel, E.W. et al. Diagnosed HIV Infection in Transgender Adults and Adolescents: Results from the National HIV Surveillance System, 2009–2014. AIDS Behav 21, 2774–2783 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-016-1656-7

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-016-1656-7

Keywords

Navigation