The relationship between development indicators and HIV epidemiology: a global perspective on social determinants
AIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV, vol.38, no.4, pp.880-892, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 38 Issue: 4
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1080/09540121.2026.2618141
- Journal Name: AIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV
- Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, BIOSIS, CINAHL, Educational research abstracts (ERA), EMBASE, Gender Studies Database, MEDLINE, Psycinfo, Public Affairs Index, Violence & Abuse Abstracts, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Social Science Premium Collection (ProQuest), Biological Science Database (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection (EBSCO), Sociology Database (ProQuest), Sociology Source Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Page Numbers: pp.880-892
- Keywords: delivery of health care, HIV infections, socioeconomic factors, universal health insurance
- Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Despite major strides in global HIV prevention and treatment, development imbalances and gender disparities continue to shape the epidemic's burden worldwide. This study aimed to examine the associations between development indicators–including the Human Development Index (HDI), Gender Inequality Index (GII), Life Expectancy at Birth (LEaB), and Universal Health Coverage (UHC)–and HIV epidemiological measures (incidence, prevalence, mortality, and antiretroviral therapy [ART] coverage). HIV-related data for 2023 were obtained from the UNAIDS database. Countries with missing data were excluded. Relationships between development indicators and HIV metrics were analyzed using Spearman’s correlation and univariable linear regression. Among 129 countries, GII correlated positively with HIV incidence (r = 0.53), prevalence (r = 0.49), and mortality (r = 0.64) (p < 0.001). HDI, LEaB, and UHC were inversely associated with all epidemiological measures, most strongly with mortality (HDI r =–0.65; LEaB r =–0.77; UHC r =–0.58). Sub-Saharan Africa showed the highest burden alongside low development levels. Disparities were also evident in the Caribbean and Eastern Europe. Lower HDI, higher GII, and shorter life expectancy are strongly linked to a greater HIV burden. These findings highlight the need for region-specific, equity-driven strategies targeting gender inequality and healthcare access.