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Editorial
. 2020 Aug;24(8):2244-2249.
doi: 10.1007/s10461-020-02871-9.

The Burden of COVID-19 in People Living with HIV: A Syndemic Perspective

Stephanie Shiau  1 , Kristen D Krause  2   3 , Pamela Valera  4 , Shobha Swaminathan  5   6 , Perry N Halkitis  7   2   4
Affiliations
Editorial

The Burden of COVID-19 in People Living with HIV: A Syndemic Perspective

Stephanie Shiau et al. AIDS Behav. 2020 Aug.

Abstract

The emergence of the novel coronavirus disease known as COVID-19 creates another health burden for people living with HIV (PLWH) who face multiple morbidities and may be at heightened risk for severe physical health illness from COVID-19. Our abilities to address these morbidities in PLWH must be considered alongside the socially-produced burdens that both place this population at risk for COVID-19 and heighten the likelihood of adverse outcomes. These burdens can affect the physical, emotional, and social well-being of PLWH and interfere with the delivery of effective healthcare and access to HIV treatment. We posit that a syndemic framework can be used to conceptualize the potential impact of COVID-19 among PLWH to inform the development of health programming services.

Keywords: Antivirals; COVID-19; HIV; Health care; Psychosocial burdens; Syndemic.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
A syndemic conceptualization of HIV & COVID-19 co-infection in people living with HIV
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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