Caregiving and HIV: Accounts of Resisting Individualism, Privatization, and Cuts in Social Spending

• In Event: 082 - Open Refereed Roundtable Session I
  In Refereed Roundtable: A. Table 23. Medical/Health I

Abstract

The role of individualism in the United States combined with increased privatization and cuts in social welfare has had significant impacts on people seeking health care and health related supports. Although previous studies have demonstrated how individualism, privatization, and cuts in social spending have contributed to patients’ limitations and negotiations, they have not adequately addressed means of resisting these individualistic ideologies or economic limitations. This is particularly true for those seeking HIV related care. This study adds to existing literature by exploring how individuals who are caregivers for HIV positive people or caregivers living with HIV seek means to empower themselves and those they care for within the confines of individualism, a privatized health care system, and cuts to spending for public assistance.

Author

• Suzan Walters, State University of New York-Stony Brook