People living with HIV often have mental health problems, which can make their HIV treatment less effective and lower their quality of life. This study looked at how personal characteristics—such as age, sex, race, and where someone lives—are connected to mental health conditions in people with HIV in South Carolina. Researchers used electronic health records from 2006 to 2019, covering 8,124 people.

In this group, 4% were age 60 or older, 22% were women, 17% lived in rural areas, and only 10% had their HIV under control. About 19% had common mental health issues like anxiety or depression, and 7% had more serious mental health conditions.

The study found that factors such as sex, race, type of community, alcohol use, viral load, and other health problems were linked to whether someone had a mental health condition. The results suggest that mental health programs should focus on these factors and on the groups most affected to better support people living with HIV.

1.	Sociodemographic and HIV-Related Characteristics Associated with Mental Health Diagnoses Among People Living with HIV. Brown MJ, Xiao J, Yang X, Olatosi B, Weissman S, Li X, Zhang J. AIDS Behav. 2026 Jan 9. doi: 10.1007/s10461-025-05015-z. Online ahead of print. PMID: 41511695