HIV in women is increasing worldwide, with women comprising approximately 14% of the total adult and adolescent AIDS cases, the highest proportion yet reported. The impact of AIDS is particularly severe in minority populations; among women, African Americans, and Hispanics combined now represent the majority of AIDS cases (76%) in the United States. AIDS is now the third leading cause of death for women aged 25 to 44 (after cancer and cardiovascular disease) and is the leading cause of death of African American women in this age group.