Housing Stability and Health Outcomes in HIV Populations

Housing stability has emerged as a fundamental social determinant shaping the health trajectories of people living with HIV. Consistent access to secure, affordable accommodation underpins adherence to antiretroviral therapy, continuity of clinical engagement and ultimately virological suppression. Conversely, housing insecurity—from episodic homelessness to overcrowded or congregate living—exacerbates interruptions in treatment, increases exposure to behavioural and structural risks, and heightens stress and stigma. Global evidence highlights that interventions which couple medical care with tailored housing assistance can yield improvements in retention in care, mental well-being and survival rates. Multi-country cohort studies and qualitative investigations emphasise the interplay of poverty, discrimination and policy frameworks in mediating these outcomes. Addressing housing must therefore be integral to comprehensive HIV programmes, with collaborations between health services, social support agencies and housing authorities offering a pathway towards sustained viral control and enhanced quality of life for vulnerable populations worldwide.

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Housing Stability and Health Outcomes in HIV Populations publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in housing stability and health outcomes in hiv populations across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Housing stability: Continuity of safe, adequate accommodation enabling privacy and routine healthcare behaviours.

Housing insecurity: Lack of consistent access to secure housing, encompassing homelessness, frequent relocations, and substandard living conditions.

Viral suppression: Reduction of HIV viral load in blood below detectable thresholds, indicating effective control of viral replication.

Antiretroviral therapy: Combination of medications prescribed to inhibit HIV replication, improving immune function and preventing disease progression.

Systemic barriers: Structural factors—such as poverty, discrimination or policy limitations—that impede equitable access to healthcare and supportive services.

Material deprivation: Lack of basic resources and services, including housing, food and income, which contribute to poor health outcomes.

References

1. Understanding why racial/ethnic inequities along the HIV care continuum persist in the United States: a qualitative exploration of systemic barriers from the perspectives of African American/Black and Latino persons living with HIV. International Journal for Equity in Health (2023).
2. Influence of Material Deprivation on Clinical Outcomes Among People Living with HIV in High-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. AIDS and Behavior (2021).
3. Examining Barriers to Medication Adherence and Retention in Care among Women Living with HIV in the Face of Homelessness and Unstable Housing. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2022).