Addressing Trauma Will Bolster the HIV Response Following the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for many people and continues to have ramifications for public health, individual health, and social cohesion. The pandemic has taken many lives, caused ongoing physical and mental health challenges for millions of people, and disturbed almost all facets of life. It also has been an extremely traumatic experience.

Trauma has played a major role in enhancing risk for HIV and shapes the quality of life of not only people living with HIV, but also HIV services providers and other members of the community. Recognizing how trauma impacts individuals, organizations, and communities is needed to ensure that we take steps to provide support and foster greater resiliency into the future. Policy action in several areas can improve the HIV response and create better models for supporting all parts of our communities.

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