This article is part of a series on HIV/AIDS and Disability.

Editorial

Special theme on HIV and disability - time for closer bonds

Shirin Heidari¹ and Susan Kippax²

¹  International AIDS Society, Geneva, Switzerland

²  National Centre in HIV Social Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

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Journal of the International AIDS Society 2009, 12:26doi:10.1186/1758-2652-12-26

Published:	9 November 2009

Abstract

With the success of antiretrovirals and increased access to this lifesaving treatment, the life expectancy of people living with HIV has been substantially increased and, in many instances, is comparable to that of the general population. However, HIV infection, as well as its treatment, can cause physical, psychological or social disabilities that prevent people living with HIV from full and equal participation in society. At the same time, there is evidence that people with disabilities are at greater risk of contracting HIV. Although more attention is being paid to these overlapping fields, the field of HIV and disability remains largely overlooked.

The Journal of the International AIDS Society is publishing, for the first time, a thematic section consisting of a number of papers on HIV and disability to provide readers with an update of developments in the field.