Achieving an End to Tennessee’s HIV/HCV/overdose syndemic through Epidemiologic Research

Harnessing Overdose Data to Inform Policy & Practice




What is a syndemic?

"Syndemics occur when two or more diseases or health conditions cluster and interact within a population because of social and structural factors, leading to an excess burden of disease and continuing health disparities. Syndemics arise when:

  • Two (or more) diseases or health conditions cluster and interact within a population;
  • The clustering results in disease interaction — biologic, social, or behavioral — creating an excess burden of disease and continuing health disparities."

US Department of Health & Human Services