The whole is greater than the sum of its parts: Integrating syndemics and intersectionality in tackling the HIV and mental health epidemics among Filipino gay and bisexual men

TL;DR

This paper explores how social and political factors worsen HIV and mental health issues among Filipino gay and bisexual men, and suggests using new frameworks to improve interventions.

Contribution

The paper introduces the integration of syndemics and intersectionality to better understand and address HIV and mental health among Filipino gay and bisexual men.

Findings

HIV and mental health issues among Filipino gay and bisexual men are intertwined and worsened by social oppression.

Using syndemics and intersectionality can improve understanding and responses to these health epidemics.

There is a need for culturally informed and comprehensive interventions in the Philippines.

Abstract

Insufficient attention has been given to the social aspects of HIV and mental health in the Philippines despite their profound impact on Filipinos, particularly gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men. Past evidence shows that these health conditions are intertwined, amplified by the combined impact of power and oppression. Yet, scholarly works, programs, and interventions focusing on understanding the social, structural, and political aspects of HIV and mental health are still in the early stages in the Philippines, calling for urgency in tackling the ongoing epidemics these men face. Therefore, we have developed this essay with the following objectives: 1) to provide context for the overlapping of the two health epidemics faced by Filipino gay and bisexual men and men who have sex with men; 2) to illustrate how critical perspectives such as syndemics and intersectionality can deepen our understanding of these conditions; 3) to showcase strategies for integrating syndemics and intersectionality into research and practice. Our aim is to foster the discussion on the use of critical perspectives in addressing health conditions in the Philippines and to advocate for comprehensive, inclusive, and culturally informed research, programs, and interventions for these men in the broader Filipino community.