[Syndemics and non infectious diseases].

Abstract

The concept of "syndemics" is getting more and more popularity in scientific journals, especially since the end of the first decade of the current century. It relates to the dynamic interaction of synchronous or sequential diseases (whether communicable or not, also including mental diseases), with social and environmental factors, resulting at the end in a worse global outcome. A first article in the same Journal (1) was devoted to infectious diseases, especially COVID-19 and HIV infections. In this second article, we highlight the fact that the concept is also applicable on diseases which are not transmitted by infectious pathogens. The importance of considering action within the field of social determinants of care will be illustrated by a limited selection of examples.