Social Determinants of Health Among Adults with Diagnosed HIV Infection, 2017

HIV continues to disproportionately affect various populations in the United States. According to the 2017 HIV Surveillance Report, numbers and rates of annual diagnoses of HIV infection decreased from 2012 through 2016 in the United States [1]; however, numbers and rates increased in some populations and remained stable in others. Differences in HIV burden, by sex and race/ethnicity (i.e., blacks/African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, and whites), have long been highlighted through HIV surveillance data in the United States. Factors other than individual attributes related to sex, race/ethnicity, or behavioral risk factors are likely contributing to the rate disparity, and may be partly explained through a better understanding of the social determinants that affect the health of populations.

The term social determinants of health (SDH) refers to the overlapping social structures and economic systems (e.g., social environment, physical environment, health services, and structural and societal factors) that are responsible for most health inequities [2]. Stratifying public health data by key SDH is useful in monitoring health inequities. Addressing the SDH that adversely affect health outcomes may advance efforts in reducing disparities in HIV diagnosis rates between populations. Addressing SDH also helps to quantify health differences between populations or geographic areas and can provide insight for identifying populations or areas that may benefit from HIV testing, prevention, and treatment initiatives.

The full CDC HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report can be viewed at this link.