29 January 2025
HIV prevalence increases among children in the Western Cape: the dilemma of early sexual activity and risk behaviourThe Public Health, Societies and Belonging (PHSB) Division conducts high-impact, interdisciplinary research aligned with key national and global development agendas, including South Africa’s National Development Plan, the Decadal Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation, and the Sustainable Development Goals. The Division’s work is rooted in public health and socio-behavioural research, with a core focus on health innovation, equity, epidemics of abuse and violence, and the monitoring and evaluation of health programmes. Through a lens of inclusivity, PHSB prioritises the needs of vulnerable groups—such as women, youth, and persons with disabilities in rural and peri-urban areas—by promoting both mental and physical wellbeing to achieve broader social cohesion and protection.
Recognising that health outcomes are deeply shaped by social and structural inequalities, PHSB explores how factors like poverty, race, gender, and unemployment influence individuals’ agency, aspirations, and opportunities. The Division is committed to addressing these disparities by understanding the lived experiences of underserved communities and innovating policies that promote equitable healthcare access. With a strong, multidisciplinary team, PHSB aims to lead transformative research at the intersection of health, wellbeing, social cohesion, and belonging, ensuring all citizens can thrive regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds. The division’s research focus is operationalized through five thematic areas, each contributing to the HSRC’s broader strategic research agenda.
Health and wellbeing efforts are guided by key frameworks such as the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3), South Africa’s National Development Plan (Vision 2030), the Decadal Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation, and the National Strategic Plan for HIV, STIs and TB. These frameworks emphasize the need for inclusive, holistic approaches to public health, particularly in addressing the interconnected health challenges faced by vulnerable communities. The concept of syndemicity provides a powerful lens through which to understand how multiple health conditions—ranging from infectious and non-communicable diseases to malnutrition and mental health—interact with social and structural inequalities to worsen health outcomes. This approach calls for integrated, multisectoral strategies that move beyond siloed interventions, focusing instead on equity-driven solutions that tackle the root causes of ill health and promote sustainable wellbeing for all.
Our division is committed to advancing health equity by addressing the complex interplay between social determinants of health—such as poverty, geography, gender, disability, and systemic inequality—and health outcomes. Guided by national and global frameworks, our research focuses on inclusive, contextually relevant innovations that promote access to quality healthcare for all, particularly vulnerable populations. We apply syndemic and intersectional frameworks to explore how multiple health conditions and social inequities intersect, emphasizing community engagement and participatory methods. Our thematic areas include mental health, nutrition, youth and women’s health, ageing populations, disability, and sexual and gender diversity. We also explore digital health innovations, social behavioural change communication, and the role of structural and psychosocial barriers in shaping health outcomes. Our work is driven by a rights-based, transdisciplinary approach, aiming to co-create evidence-based, patient-centred solutions that inform policy and promote inclusive, sustainable development.
Substance and drug abuse has become a growing public health crisis, driven by the emergence of potent synthetic drugs, misuse of prescription medications, and increased accessibility of substances like alcohol, tobacco, and e-cigarettes—especially among youth. The epidemic poses significant social, economic, and health challenges, often rooted in or exacerbated by socio-economic disparities and underlying mental health issues. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable due to ongoing neurodevelopment and exposure to substances via vaping and other modern delivery systems. Our research aims to understand the drivers of substance abuse, including its links to mental health, and assess the effectiveness of current policies and interventions. Through a data-driven, community-engaged approach, we will support the development of sustainable, evidence-based solutions involving prevention strategies, improved access to rehabilitation, public awareness campaigns, and multi-sectoral collaboration to address this complex and urgent issue.
Abuse and violence, particularly domestic violence and gender-based violence (GBV), remain pervasive issues in South Africa, deeply rooted in systemic inequalities, harmful gender norms, poverty, and social exclusion. Vulnerable groups—including women, children, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ individuals—are especially at risk, often facing multiple layers of discrimination and limited access to support services. The cycle of violence extends beyond households to affect entire communities, perpetuated by factors such as unemployment, inadequate legal protection, and lack of safe spaces and resources. Research by the division has highlighted the need for a multifaceted response, including education on healthy relationships, legal reform, survivor support systems, and targeted community-based interventions.
Social change in South Africa is deeply influenced by economic structures and socio-political dynamics, particularly as the country navigates a complex transitional period. This thematic area critically examines how state and non-state interventions shape society, with a focus on those marginalised within the digital and information economy. Rooted in African feminist perspectives and aligned with global frameworks like the SDGs, the COVID-19 response, and climate change, the research addresses gender equality, women’s empowerment, and health equity. Key priorities include analysing and evaluating health and gender policies, monitoring policy implementation, promoting gender-responsive planning and budgeting, and exploring the intersections of gender, climate change, and social justice. A significant emphasis is placed on African women—especially adolescent girls, young women, and older women—by recognising their diverse experiences and the historical and systemic inequalities that affect their access to health, wellbeing, and representation in policy and development.
CCBR, established in 2020 as part of the HSRC’s 2020–2025 strategic vision, serves as a dynamic social laboratory dedicated to improving public health and wellbeing through intervention trials, evidence generation, and capacity building. Originating from two decades of work in KwaZulu-Natal’s Sweetwaters area, the Centre combines social, behavioural and biomedical sciences to address real-world challenges. Its focus includes implementation science, decentralised service delivery models, behavioural change strategies, and digital health interventions, ensuring its research is both scientifically rigorous and community relevant.
Ukuthwala
