Study Climate Change And Extreme Weather Events Impact Hiv Prevention And Patient Care In Numerous Ways – Amar Ujala Hindi News Live

Researchers at the University of Toronto analyzed 22 studies involving HIV in the context of climate change. This study published in Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases states that new challenges are emerging in HIV prevention and care due to climate change. Researchers say extreme weather events were also found to be associated with an increase in practices that increase HIV risks, such as sex without condoms. Such conditions promote an increase in new HIV infections.

Treatment is not available on time

Extreme weather events cause damage to healthcare infrastructure. Migration and displacement increase, hindering access to HIV clinics for prevention and testing. People suffering from HIV are completely deprived of care. Due to natural disasters in the affected areas, health workers are completely failing to prevent infection. Due to not getting proper treatment on time, both their physical and mental health are being affected.

Appropriate strategy is not being made

Researchers say the focus is not on extreme heat, wildfires, hurricanes and rapid changes in climate across geographic regions and rising HIV rates. There is a huge lack of different strategies and subject-oriented research for these situations. Mitigating the impacts of climate change on HIV care requires a range of strategies. This requires long-term antiretroviral therapy, increased drug distribution supplies, and organizing outreach programs with community-based drug distribution.

time to take some new steps

The research concluded that new interventions to combat HIV during extreme weather events, such as mobile pharmacies and health clinics, and interventions to reduce food and water insecurity could contribute to improved care. More research and evaluation is needed to test HIV prevention and intervention strategies under climate change.