Trans and gender diverse people
Transgender people are around 13 times more likely to be HIV-positive than other adults of reproductive age. In some regions, transgender women account for disproportionally large shares of new infections, including Asia and the Pacific (7%), Latin America (6%) and the Caribbean (5%). HIV prevalence among transgender women is estimated to be 28.4% in Eastern and Southern Africa; 13.5% in Western and Central Africa; 22.2% in Latin America; and 23.7% in the Caribbean (UNAIDS, 2020). Little data is available for transgender men and other transgender populations regarding HIV epidemiology. Even less data is available regarding prevalence and incidence rates of viral hepatitis and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in transgender people.
Overall, transgender people have low rates of access to health services due to a range of issues including violence, legal barriers, stigma and discrimination.
Violence against transgender people is common. Furthermore, transgender people may experience family rejection and violation of their rights to education, employment and social protections. As such, they may experience higher rates of unemployment, poverty, housing insecurity and marginalization.
In most countries, a lack of legal recognition of transgender people contributes to their exclusion and marginalization. While a few countries now recognize a “third gender”, in many settings transgender people are required to undergo genital surgery to gain legal recognition of their gender. Other countries will never recognize a change to the gender assigned at birth.
WHO works with international and country partners to address the varied health needs of transgender people, including HIV, viral hepatitis and STI prevention, diagnosis and treatment. WHO also supports partners to address structural barriers that affect transgender people’s ability to access services.
A comprehensive package of services is recommended to address these infectious diseases in transgender people.
Essential for impact: enabling interventions | Essential for impact: health interventions | Essential for broader health: health interventions |
| Prevention of HIV, viral hepatitis and STIs
Diagnosis
Treatment
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Latest policy guidance
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Policy brief: Consolidated guidelines on HIV, viral hepatitis and STI prevention, diagnosis, treatment...
The 2022 Consolidated guidelines on HIV, viral hepatitis and STI prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for key populations outline a public health...
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Publications
Recommended package of enabling and health interventions for HIV, viral hepatitis and STI prevention,...
In 2022, WHO published the Consolidated guidelines on HIV, viral hepatitis and STI prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for key populations. These...
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Consolidated guidelines on HIV, viral hepatitis and STI prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for...
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Key considerations for differentiated antiretroviral therapy delivery for specific populations: children,...
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Consolidated guidelines on HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for key populations
In this consolidated guidelines document on HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for key populations, WHO brings together all existing guidance...
Tool to set and monitor targets for HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for key populations
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Transgender people and HIV
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HIV and young transgender people
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Consolidated guidelines on HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for key populations
In this new consolidated guidelines document on HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for key populations, the World Health Organization brings...
Web annex to the WHO guideline: Consolidated guidelines on HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for key populations
Guidance on oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for serodiscordant couples, men and transgender women...
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Prevention and treatment of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with...
The Guidelines focus on the prevention and treatment of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among men who have sex with men (MSM) and...
Article
Ensuring an inclusive global health agenda for transgender people, Bulletin of the World Health Organization, March 2018, 95 (2), 154 - 156, http://dx.doi.org/10.2471/BLT.16.183913
Regional publications
Blueprint for the provision of comprehensive care for trans persons and their communities in the Caribbean and other Anglophone countries - Pan American Health Organization [PAHO], John Snow, Inc., World Professional Association for Transgender Health, et al. 2014
Blueprint for the provision of comprehensive care for trans people and trans communities in Asia and the Pacific - Health Policy Project, 2015