Climate change and extreme weather events and linkages with HIV outcomes: recent advances and ways forward

Purpose of review 

Discuss the recent evidence on climate change and related extreme weather events (EWE) and linkages with HIV prevention and care outcomes.

Recent findings 

We identified 22 studies exploring HIV prevention and care in the context of EWE. HIV prevention studies examined sexual practices that increase HIV exposure (e.g., condomless sex, transactional sex), HIV testing, and HIV recent infections and prevalence. HIV care-related outcomes among people with HIV included clinical outcomes (e.g., viral load), antiretroviral therapy adherence and access, HIV care engagement and retention, and mental and physical wellbeing. Pathways from EWE to HIV prevention and care included: structural impacts (e.g., health infrastructure damage); resource insecurities (e.g., food insecurity-related ART adherence barriers); migration and displacement (e.g., reduced access to HIV services); and intrapersonal and interpersonal impacts (e.g., mental health challenges, reduced social support).

Summary 

Studies recommended multilevel strategies for HIV care in the context of EWE, including at the structural-level (e.g. food security programs), health institution-level (e.g., long-lasting ART), community-level (e.g. collective water management), and individual-level (e.g., coping skills). Climate-informed HIV prevention research is needed. Integration of EWE emergency and disaster preparedness and HIV services offers new opportunities for optimizing HIV prevention and care.