Leigh M. Johnson

Our data repudiate the idea that same-sex relationships are a reflection of modernity or a Western cultural import We have recently published a study that estimated the prevalence of same-sex unions in South Africa. We analysed household surveys since 2002. We found that 1.4% of men and 1.0% of women in cohabiting relationships were in same-sex unions. The proportion of such relationships has risen since same-sex marriage was legalised. This is comparable to the US, Australia and Canada.

Around the world, men are more likely to get TB and to die from it than women. We recently conducted to establish the various factors that explain higher rates of TB among men in South Africa. South Africa is ranked among the top six countries contributing to 60% of the global burden of TB. Our main finding was that men are 70% more likely to develop TB and die from the disease, compared to women.

A new study has analysed the change in the rate of new HIV infections from 2010 to 2019. It finds that the rate of new infections has almost halved. Most of this decline is due to antiretroviral medicines and condom promotion, but male medical circumcision and behaviour change after HIV diagnosis have likely had a small role too.