Are Transgender Women Underrepresented in Sexual Health Research?

Max Brito, MD, MPH, professor of medicine at the University of Illinois, remarks on the underrepresentation of transgender women in HIV and other sexual health research.

Interview Transcript (modified slightly for readability):

Contagion®: Is there a need for more consideration of transgender women when it comes to HIV and sexual health research?

Brito: Absolutely, much more research is needed in transgender women. We know there are not enough studies addressing the needs of this population. The care in general of transgender women, the targeted care, not only HIV, but for sexually transmitted diseases, preventive care, it's lacking, and so we need to pay more attention and research. I think this reflects the patient population that we serve at the clinic but it's also in research. I think there is an underrepresentation of transgender women in general and we need to do a better job of that.