Positive Women's Network Brings the Group's Important Perspective to AIDS 2012

Ahead of the XIX International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2012), an Oakland, Calif.-based HIV/AIDS organization for women is partnering with the conference to advocate for research and strong, bold solutions in combating HIV.

The Positive Women's Network (PWN), an organization of more than 2,500 women with HIV and their allies throughout the country who seek to influence federal policies on HIV/AIDS, is working to address the unique barriers to care, access and treatment that women with HIV face.

Sonia Rastogi, communications coordinator for PWN, identifies the group's primary goals as increasing meaningful and visible leadership on HIV with an eye toward influencing national policy; increasing research for women-controlled prevention options, such as microbicides being developed to inhibit the transmission of HIV; and to push for bold action from the White House Office of National AIDS policy when it comes to issues that disproportionately impact women.

Rastogi says that although women don't have the highest levels of infection, they do have higher rates of hospitalization and a higher occurrence of AIDS-defining illnesses, such as tuberculosis or pneumonia. She adds that this is particularly true among women of color and those with lower incomes.

When considering underlying reasons for these poorer outcomes among women, Vanessa Johnson, a founding member of PWN who lives in D.C., points to a lack of education and adequate mental health services, as well as abuse and poverty.

Both Rastogi and Johnson say that studies have shown a correlation between violence and HIV infection that particularly impacts women. Intimate partner violence (IPV), says Rastogi, is likely to influence HIV infection rates because it will decrease the likelihood of a woman staying in care, and because IPV scenarios prevent women from negotiating the terms of sex.

Johnson says that factors like substance abuse or mental health issues can place more women at risk. She also blames a lack of education on how to live healthily for contributing to the spread of HIV, pointing to flawed messaging, poor outreach and a general stigma aimed against those who are HIV-positive.

On the federal level, Rastogi sees some signs of progress for HIV-positive women with regard to the number of Americans with access to health insurance.

''We're extremely excited about the Affordable Care Act,'' she says. ''It is a bold move that helps serve women and girls.''

Specifically, she says, the law will increase access to insurance through Medicaid. Additionally, she's pleased about the ACA's potential for lowering premiums, particularly for those with pre-existing conditions.

Rastogi adds that the ACA will provide women with needed screenings, such as those for HIV or other chronic illnesses, and counseling, such as mental health services for victims of domestic violence, at no extra cost and without co-pays for preventative procedures.

All of these things, she says, will help increase women's health outcomes by allowing them to access and stay in care, likely achieving viral suppression.

For more information about the Positive Women's Network, visit pwn-usa.org.