High-Risk HIV Behaviors - Women: State

This report provides an overview of high-risk HIV behaviors among women ages 18–44 in the United States, based on national surveillance data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). High-risk behaviors include injecting non-prescribed drugs, receiving treatment for a sexually transmitted infection, and exchanging sex for money or drugs within the past year. These behaviors are key indicators of HIV vulnerability and often reflect broader social and structural factors such as access to health care, substance use patterns, and economic instability. Age-specific trends show that younger women consistently report higher levels of risk behaviors than older age groups, underscoring the need for targeted prevention strategies. Understanding these patterns supports the development of effective public health interventions, including harm-reduction services, STI treatment access, comprehensive sexual health education, and efforts aimed at reducing the social determinants that contribute to elevated HIV risk. Data originate from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s BRFSS.