HIV Prevention Starts With Me

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD) is an annual observance that sheds light on the impact of HIV and AIDS on women and girls. Every year on March 10, and throughout the month of March, national and community organizations come together to show support for women and girls impacted by HIV and AIDS. This year marks the 12th observance of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

Today, about one in four people living with HIV in the United States is female. Only about half of women living with HIV are getting care, and only four in 10 of them have the virus under control. Women face unique HIV risks and challenges that can prevent them from getting needed care and treatment. Addressing these issues remains critical to achieving an HIV- and AIDS-free generation.

The 2019 theme is “HIV Prevention Starts With Me.” Everyone — women, men, community organizations, health care professionals, those who are HIV-negative, and those living with HIV — has a role to play in HIV prevention. There are steps you can take to protect yourself, your partner, your patients, family, and neighbors from HIV infection. Learn how.

• Use condoms every time you have sex.
• Get an HIV test, which is free and confidential.
• Be monogamous.
• Do not abuse alcohol or drugs.
• Talk to your doctor about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) if you think you’re at risk for HIV.

To learn more, explore these links:

What every woman needs to know about HIV

What every girl needs to know about HIV

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day fact sheet

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Content provided by the Office of Women’s Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.