Just a Symptom: Applying Intersectionality to HIV Dialogue

Stigmatization of HIV positive status in the United States has persisted since the discovery of the virus in 1981 — the interplay of social, cultural and economic dynamics has long-defined patient care and prognosis. Advancements in development of HIV treatments and the advent of U=U (i.e. undetectable = untransmittable) have made it possible for HIV positive individuals to lead longer lives with significantly decreased likelihood of developing AIDS and more severe, life-threatening morbidities. Such developments have made deconstruction of stigma more attainable than ever before, in turn minimizing some historical barriers and enabling progress to be made in both developing and implementing educational and preventative interventions. Given that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) possesses a unique set of stigma-derived morbidities, it is best understood in the context of intersectionality — to understand the extent to which medical advancement has contributed to deconstructing stigmas and improving quality of life for people living with HIV (PLWHIV) in the United States, the interplay of science and public health with every day dynamics must be evaluated. In doing so, it is possible to develop more comprehensive and effective interventions with the potential to decrease disease incidence and lessen the burden of morbidities which arise from lack of education, bias and inaccessibility of resources. An intersectional approach is therefore more than the treatment of a symptom - it is addressing its root cause and creating solutions with the potential for longevity in place of impermanence. Keywords— HIV, antiretroviral treatments, HIV stigmatizati