A Global Call for Research Addressing Syndemics of Substance Use, Mental Health, and Structural Determinants in Disparities Related to HIV/STI in Minoritized Populations

Dear Colleagues,

Research that examines health disparities and addresses underlying structural inequities is complex and often requires multilevel and diverse methodologies. Populations which are marginalized and minoritized on the basis of factors such as race, age, gender identity, and/or sexual orientation experience disproportionate rates of STI/HIV, violence, substance use (alcohol and illicit drugs), and mental health disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression, and suicidality), as well as structural determinants of disparities (e.g., racism and intersectional structural discrimination). It is critical that we address how these synergistic epidemics (syndemics) co-occur and mutually reinforce each other, given the rise of syndemics in marginalized populations in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic. The aftermath of the pandemic has numerous potential severe, long-term impacts on populations who continue to benefit least from innovations in HIV prevention, such as newly approved long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis. This Special Issue is dedicated to methodological considerations and results from original research focused on the investigation of multilevel inequities and HIV-related syndemics among populations experiencing marginalization globally. We are interested in novel or emerging treatments, socio-behavioral interventions, methods, and other recommendations to stop this trend that is unraveling decades of scientific gains and eroding life expectancies and the possibility of sustaining healthy communities worldwide. Examples of such projects include ‘The impact of HIV and violence among women in XX/country’, ‘Recruitment and retention methods for vulnerable hidden XX/population to assess mental health and substance use among individuals living with HIV in XX areas”, etc.

Dr. Elena Cyrus
Dr. Typhanye Vielka Dyer
Dr. Donté T. Boyd
Dr. Allysha C. Maragh-Bass
Guest Editors

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• syndemics
• substance use
• mental health
• HIV
• risk
• violence
• disparity

COVID-19 policies as an effect modifier of HIV/SU risk for Transgender women;

Biopsychosocial model of frailty among Black Women living with HIV;

Suicide risk among young Black Men;