The Intersection of HIV and Social Determinants of Health: A Comprehensive Review

Odile Patrick Thalia

Faculty of Biological Sciences Kampala International University Uganda

                                         ABSTRACT

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic remained a profound global health challenge, significantly impacting marginalized and underserved populations. While advances in antiretroviral therapy (ART) and prevention strategies have transformed HIV into a manageable chronic condition, the epidemic’s persistence is deeply intertwined with social determinants of health (SDOH). This comprehensive review examined the intersection of HIV and SDOH, highlighting how factors such as poverty, education, gender inequality, healthcare access, and stigma influenced HIV vulnerability and outcomes. Through a synthesis of current research and data, and utilizing a methodology that includes a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature and global health reports, the review underscored the critical role of SDOH in shaping HIV dynamics. It explored regional and population-based disparities, discussed innovations and interventions in HIV prevention and treatment, and proposed strategies to address these underlying determinants. Understanding and addressing the intersection of HIV and SDOH is crucial for developing more effective, equitable, and sustainable HIV prevention and treatment approaches, ultimately advancing global health equity and moving closer to ending the HIV epidemic as a public health threat.

Keywords: Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), HIV Prevention, Economic Inequality, Stigma and Discrimination, Innovative Interventions.

CITE AS: Odile Patrick Thalia (2024). The Intersection of HIV and Social Determinants of Health: A Comprehensive Review. NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN MEDICAL SCIENCES, 5(3):53-58 https://doi.org/10.59298/NIJRMS/2024/5.3.5358