Collision of communicable and non-communicable disease epidemics—the case of HIV and COPD

In this issue of The Lancet Global Health, Jean Joel Bigna and colleagues report the results of their systematic review and meta-analysis of studies of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in people with HIV.1 COPD is one of the most common non-communicable diseases that, as a group, are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide.2 HIV is one of the principal infectious causes for morbidity and mortality globally.3 Although typically thought of as a problem of high-income countries, most of the burden of non-communicable diseases is seen in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), where they drive and perpetuate poverty.