Women living with HIV in Australia are often diagnosed later than men, and this can lead to avoidable health problems. Many think HIV only affects men who have sex with men. As a result, women are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage, when the virus has impacted their health more greatly.
Women constitute more than one in ten people living with HIV in Australia, and that number is growing. But health-care workers and the public often miss how important it is to think about HIV risk across all groups, including heterosexual women and women born overseas. Late diagnosis can increase the chance of serious illness and prevents early treatment initiation.
To support testing, diagnosis and earlier treatment initiation, women living with HIV and community groups have developed a tool for health-care workers called Women & HIV Today. This tool is designed to support doctors, nurses, dentists, and other health professionals understanding of women’s experiences of living with HIV, to ensure inclusive HIV care for women in Australia.
By raising awareness through sharing lived experience, we can improve early diagnosis and care for women living with HIV across Australia.
Read more: theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/10/women-hiv-high-risk-group-australia
