By Chase Alston, The Body Pro, April 15, 2020
The phrase “health disparities” is a clincal or academic way of saying that people in marginalized communities are more likely to die, due to factors outside their control. It means that merely living in a certain zip code or having been born to a certain race can place a cap on one’s life.
Those at elevated risk for HIV sit at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities. The minority stress theory states that those from marginalized communities experience a higher level of stress than others, due to daily discrimination. This stress plays a large part in creating a lot of the health disparities that exist among marginalized groups, namely LGBTQ communities and communities of color.
The history of stigma and shame that has been projected onto those with HIV adds a higher level of stress to the lives of those in these communities who are living with HIV. Despite this, most HIV prevention and treatment plans leave trauma unaddressed.
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