Parry, S. J., & Thornicroft, G. (2020). The syndemic approach in relation to clinical practice and research in psychiatry. Consortium Psychiatricum, 1(2), 3–6. https://doi.org/10.17650/2712-7672-2020-1-2-3-6 

Cleveland State University

The syndemic approach goes beyond the concept of comorbidity and accounts for how diseases interact within their wider environmental context, along with social and political factors, to mutually exacerbate negative health outcomes.

Syndemic vs Comorbidity

The Syndemic Approach

When compared to the general population, people living with HIV infection are disproportionately exposed to trauma and the resultant negative health consequences, creating a syndemic relationship between them. Trauma in individuals with HIV is associated with increased HIV-risk behavior, poor treatment adherence, and both poor HIV and other health outcomes. 

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