Interactions between HIV/AIDS and the environment: a review of the evidence and recommendations for next steps

Abstract

Humans and other species rely upon natural ecosystem processes and ecosystem services for their very survival. As the human population has grown, overuse or misuse of the environment and impairment of its ability to provide ecosystems services have led to shortages in critical human and other species needs. The last 10 years have seen an increase in the awareness of and interest in the complex interactions among population, health and the environment (PHE) and even more recently, an increase in awareness of linkages between HIV/AIDS and the environment, which could be considered as a subfield under the umbrella of PHE. Recent studies have brought to light a series of interacting and complex relationships, many with negative feedback loops, between HIV/AIDS and the environment. A comprehensive examination of these relationships and analyses of the quality and breadth of the evidence are lacking. We undertook a broad review of the published literature regarding the potential links between HIV/AIDS and the environment to assess the evidence for these connections and to provide guidance for possible next steps in addressing them through basic or operations research and intervention.