A study examined the relationship between social determinants of health (SDoH) and comorbidities, including multimorbidity, in adults of African ancestry with HIV in England. The findings were published in AIDS. Using multivariable logistic regression analysis, researchers investigated eight socio-economic parameters and their associations with prevalent comorbidities. Among 398 participants, 85% reported at least one SDoH, and 72% had at least one comorbidity. Results showed no significant links between SDoH and diabetes or kidney disease. However, associations were found between SDoH factors, such as job and food insecurity and cardiovascular or lung disease. Moreover, various SDoH—including financial, food, and housing insecurity—were linked with poor mental health and chronic pain. Notably, the study revealed strong associations between SDoH and poor mental health, chronic pain, and multimorbidity, emphasizing the impact of socio-economic factors on health outcomes in this population. The findings underscore the necessity for comprehensive health and social care interventions for individuals with HIV to address these psychosocial challenges effectively, wrote the study authors.
