Social capital and AIDS-resilient communities: strengthening the AIDS response

Abstract

This article argues that an effective AIDS response must expand the biomedical and individual behaviour frames to include structural interventions that create circumstances that enable behavioural change and strengthen communities' own efforts to address prevention and treatment. How can the emergence of AIDS-resilient communities be supported? The article underscores the importance of cultural and sociological variables in shaping effective responses to HIV and AIDS; social, political and environmental circumstances can facilitate or impede behavioural choices and can strengthen or remove barriers to HIV-resilient actions. A 'social capital lens' brings into sharp relief how culture, context, power relations, the distribution of social and natural resources, vulnerability and marginalisation all play a role in shaping options, behaviour and practices. Using this lens will give us a better understanding of the complex networks of factors influencing human behaviours and social practices and allows us to better support the emergence of AIDS-resilient communities and health-enabling environments.