A recent study published in The Lancet HIV reveals that gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) significantly improves HIV outcomes for transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse individuals in the U.S.

The research, which analyzed data from over 8,000 participants at two LGBTQ+ health centers, found that those receiving GAHT were 37% less likely to contract HIV.

Additionally, individuals prescribed GAHT had a 44% lower risk of viral non-suppression compared to those not receiving the therapy.

These findings underscore the medical necessity of GAHT and advocate for expanded access to gender-affirming care as part of national HIV prevention strategies.

Transgender individuals in the U.S. face higher HIV rates and poorer treatment outcomes than their cisgender counterparts, including increased rates of viral non-suppression.

The study highlights the disproportionate impact of HIV on racial and ethnic minority groups among trans individuals, particularly Black, Latinx, and multiracial populations, often due to structural barriers in healthcare access.

An accompanying article discusses the Situated Vulnerabilities and Resiliencies Framework, which addresses social, economic, and health barriers contributing to high HIV rates in trans populations.

This Framework emphasizes the need for solutions beyond medical treatment, including legal protections and community support, and stresses the importance of collaborating with trans communities to create effective HIV prevention programs.

Despite the positive findings, the study noted that only 3.1% of participants without HIV were prescribed pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), indicating a need for increased awareness and access to preventive measures.

Sari Reisner, one of the study's authors, expressed concern about the challenges of conducting further research due to the loss of NIH grants and the ongoing effects of restrictive policies on transgender health.

Diana Tordoff, an epidemiologist, praised the study for its thoughtful design and strong findings, which support a decade-old hypothesis that gender affirmation can lead to healthier behaviors and lower HIV risk.

For individuals already infected, hormone therapy was associated with a 44% reduction in having transmissible levels of the virus in their blood.