HIV-Related Depression and Cognitive Impairment Disproportionately Affect Women of Color

Strategic Insights -

Women living with HIV (WWH) experience high rates of depression and cognitive impairment, with a significant proportion of their lives spent with depressive symptoms. According to a recent study, WWH may be more susceptible to these effects than women without HIV (WWoH). Researchers from Johns Hopkins University analyzed data from the Women's Interagency HIV Study and found that a 1-standard-deviation above mean increase in days with depression (PDD) was associated with a higher risk of impairment in attention/working memory, executive function, and verbal learning.

Key Takeaways:

  • WWH experience high rates of depression and cognitive impairment, with an average of 23.4% of their lives spent with depressive symptoms.
  • A 1-standard-deviation above mean increase in PDD was associated with a higher risk of impairment in attention/working memory (IRR = 1.24; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.44), executive function (IRR = 1.43; 95% CI: 1.18, 1.72), and verbal learning (IRR = 1.20; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.37).
  • HIV serostatus did not modify these associations, suggesting that depression burden is a significant contributor to cognitive impairment in WWH.
  • Low-income women of color are disproportionately affected, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address mental health disparities.
  • Addressing mental health is crucial for optimizing cognitive health, as emphasized by the research team.

Statistics:

  • 23.4%: the average proportion of days with depression (PDD) over 12.8 years in WWH.
  • 1.24, 1.43, and 1.20: the incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for cognitive impairment in attention/working memory, executive function, and verbal learning, respectively, associated with a 1-standard-deviation above mean increase in PDD.
  • 2536: the number of participants in the study.
  • 1757: the number of WWH in the study.
  • 71%: the percentage of non-Hispanic Black participants in the study.
  • 18%: the percentage of Hispanic participants in the study.

Sources:

  • Cumulative burden of depression and domain-specific cognitive impairment over time in the women's interagency HIV study: A marginal structural model approach. Journal of Affective Disorders, 2025:120382.
  • AIDS Weekly. October 27, 2025; p 20.