Climate Change Disrupts HIV Prevention Poses New Health Challenges
A new study has revealed that climate change is making HIV prevention and treatment more difficult by damaging healthcare infrastructure and increasing exposure risks. Extreme weather events such as droughts and floods have been linked to worsening HIV outcomes, affecting both prevention and care.
The research, published in Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases, was conducted by scientists at the University of Toronto. They analyzed 22 studies and found that extreme weather events contribute to lower HIV testing rates, reduced treatment adherence, and increased risk behaviors, such as unprotected sex. Damage to clinics, displacement of communities, and resource shortages further complicate care access.
“Climate change is creating multiple challenges in the fight against HIV,” the re...