title: HIV/AIDS in women: an expanding epidemic.
abstract: More than 20 years into the human immunodeficiency virus-type 1 (HIV-1) epidemic, women account for nearly half of the 40 million people living with HIV-1 worldwide, with an even higher proportion existing in developing countries. Social determinants of female vulnerability to HIV-1 include gender disparities, poverty, cultural and sexual norms, lack of education, and violence. Women are also more susceptible to HIV-1 because of hormonal changes, vaginal microbial ecology and physiology, and a higher prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases. Prevention strategies must address the wide range of gender inequalities that promote the dissemination of HIV-1.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. tquinn@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Thomas C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Overbaugh
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000009:adverse effects; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones