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Economic Security

Economic insecurity has a significant impact on women’s wellness.

ABOUT ECONOMIC INSECURITY

Economic insecurity has the potential to negatively impact the wellness of women, their families, and communities.

According to OHESI (2019)opens in a new window, women living with HIV are more likely to live in low income households and with children compared to men.

In WHAI's Community Consultations, economic insecurity was described as isolating, negatively impacting women’s emotional and mental health, and ultimately leading to increased risk for HIV transmission and poor health outcomes for women living with HIV.

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The percentage of women, among a cohort of people living with HIV who were in care in Ontario, that had a household income less than $20,000.

Women & HIV in Ontario (OHESI, 2017)opens in a new window

%
The percentage of women, among a cohort of people living with HIV who were in care, who lived with children.

Women & HIV in Ontario (OHESI, 2017)opens in a new window

THE IMPACT OF ADDRESSING BARRIERS

Addressing economic insecurity is necessary for tackling the underlying causes that contribute to HIV risk and health outcomes.

Across Ontario, women reported challenges with unaffordable housing, the high costs of HIV medication, transportation, employment, and food security. The prohibitive cost of vision, dental, and mental health care often meant these services could not be accessed regardless of need.

 

By working together to address these barriers, communities can foster improved health outcomes among women living with HIV.

"If I am offered a full-time job, how will I attend appointments without losing my job? It is challenging to balance working and HIV."

Woman living with HIV, Ontario

“It’s difficult to improve my health with takin’ the bus to get places, and also I’m still on Ontario Works so I don’t get enough money for food and transportation and stuff like that."

Woman living with HIV, Ontario

WHAT IS WHAI DOING?

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Supporting Anti-Poverty Work

Recognizing and supporting anti-poverty work is key in Ontario's HIV response.

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Addressing Barriers

WHAI supports communities to address the barriers that economic insecurity creates for women living with, or facing systemic risk for, HIV.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Fact Sheet

Women & HIV in Ontario

An overview of HIV and health outcomes driven by the social determinants of health for women in Ontario.