While mapping health-related data offers tremendous promise by identifying and reaching people who are most at-risk for HIV, international public health professionals find themselves facing a double-edged sword. Matching the geography of key populations to programs and life-saving services is a powerful weapon in the fight against HIV; however, this approach risks putting data about individuals and services in the hands of those who might inflict harm. This risk is especially pronounced in countries with legal restrictions and/or rights-constrained environments—for example, where same-sex relationships, sex work, or injecting drug use are criminalized, or where identifying as transgender is either criminalized or simply unacceptable.

Before beginning any mapping or spatial analysis, analysts, program managers, and decisionmakers should review available resources regarding ethical considerations in programmatic mapping. This will ensure that any analysis will directly inform policies or programs, that it is presented at an appropriate level of aggregation to protect individuals and communities, and that the maps themselves are shared selectively.

Additional guidance on this topic can be found at

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