Better Sexual Health and HIV Response for Women and Gender and Sexual Minority Populations Globally
Around the world, women of reproductive age and gender, and sexual minority populations, experience a high burden of health and social inequities, including HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)—in both high- and low-income settings. Suboptimal sexual health and inadequate access to HIV prevention, treatment and care are particularly concerning among youth, sex workers, migrant and visible minority women, and women living with HIV/AIDS.
Public health responses around the world continue to be hampered by our limited understanding of the complex social and structural factors that shape sexual health and HIV outcomes—such as violence, stigma, laws and policies—not to mention substantial gender gaps.
Dr. Kate Shannon, Canada Research Chair in Global Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS, aims to improve policy and program responses to sexual health and HIV for marginalized women and key gender and sexual minority populations by unpacking the complex social and structural dimensions involved.
Her research will inform evidence-based policies and intervention strategies to increase access to HIV and STI prevention and care. It will also promote gender- and women-focused sexual health, and reduce long-standing gaps in access to sexual health and HIV care for marginalized populations in Canada and around the world.