HIV/AIDS and Mental Health among Sexual and Gender Minority Populations

Abstract

<p>HIV/AIDS is a disease that significantly affects the health outcomes of sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) and the LGBTQ community globally. HIV is frequently associated with mental health issues among many vulnerable populations, such as depression, anxiety, stigma, substance abuse, and discrimination. In addition, risk factors for HIV acquisition often include mental health problems, lack of social support, and experiences of stigma and discrimination. This chapter focuses on the history of HIV/AIDS, current HIV health disparities in SGM communities in the United States and globally, mental health among HIV-positive vulnerable and understudied populations, and future directions for the improvement of HIV prevention programs and mental health interventions. Understudied populations include women who have sex with women, transgender men, and SGM belonging to racial and ethnic minority groups. This chapter aims to summarize the interaction of HIV/AIDS and mental health over the past two decades in order to demonstrate the importance of this subject in current research.</p>