THE FACTS
The number of new HIV diagnoses increases each year.
The number of people living with HIV in Ontario has increased over the past decade. This is the result of improved HIV treatment, extended life expectancy, migration of people into Ontario, as well as new diagnoses.
LIMITATIONS IN THE DATA
Data collected during HIV testing has historically excluded Trans and Non-Binary people. As such, those numbers are not reflected here; however, research has shown that Trans women have been particularly impacted by HIV and data on Trans and Non-Binary people is beginning to become more inclusive since 2018
'Woman' and 'Women'
People have different comfort levels in language and have different language preferences. WHAI works to be inclusive of all women, including Trans and Cis women, women with Trans experience, as well as folks on the Transfeminine spectrum. The terms 'woman' and 'women' are often used throughout our website and resources as an umbrella term, meant to encompass a wide range of identities. If you have feedback about how we can improve the language and content on our website, please contact us. We're happy to hear your feedback.
NEW HIV DIAGNOSES & WOMEN IN ONTARIO
More than half
From 2016-17 in Ontario, African, Caribbean and Black women made up more than half (54%) of new diagnoses among women, while they made up only 5% of women in Ontario.
(OHESI: Women & HIV in Ontario, 2019)opens in a new window
Of new HIV diagnoses among women in 2017 were Indigenous.
(OHESI: Women & HIV in Ontario, 2019)opens in a new window
Trans women are 10 times more likely to report having been diagnosed with HIV than Ontarians overall.
(OHESI: Women & HIV in Ontario, 2019)opens in a new window
Of new HIV diagnoses in 2016-17, 18% was attributed to injection drug use among females, while 11% was attributed to injection drug use among males.
(OHESI: Women & HIV in Ontario, 2019)opens in a new window
CENTRING WOMEN'S EXPERIENCES
"HIV stigma affects the quality of life, health opportunities received and sought, and psychological well-being of HIV-positive women."
— A support worker. Women, HIV & Stigma: A Toolkit for Creating Welcoming Spaces
Helpful Resources
Women & HIV in Ontario
OHESI and WHAI’s overview of HIV and health outcomes driven by the social determinants of health for women in Ontario.
HIV Care Cascade in Ontario
The Ontario HIV Epidemiology and Surveillance Initiative’s (OHESI) report on the Care Cascade in Ontario.