Africa - Society Presentation

HIV/AIDS is a major social issue that encompasses the entirety of Africa

Introduction: History & Introduction to the Problem

Although Sub-Saharan Africa is more heavily affected by HIV and AIDS than any other region of the world. An estimated 24.5 million people were living with HIV at the end of 2005 and approximately 2.7 million additional people were infected with HIV during that year.

In just the past year, the AIDS epidemic in Africa has claimed the lives of an estimated 2 million people in this region. With more than twelve million children have been orphaned by AIDS.

The extent of the AIDS crisis is only now becoming clear in many African countries, as increasing numbers of people with HIV are becoming ill. Without expanded prevention, treatment and care efforts, it is expected that the AIDS death toll in sub-Saharan Africa and across the continent will continue to rise. This means that impact of the AIDS epidemic will be felt most strongly in the comming decade.

AIDS does not only affect health within the continent, but also its social and economic sectors. This also has an impact on education, industry, agriculture, transport, human resources; as well as the economy in general.

http://www.avert.org/aafrica.htm

What are the impacts and challenges of the HIV/AIDS pandemic?

HIV/AIDS not only affects health, it infects the social and economic sectors of mostly underdeveloped nations. HIV/AIDS has seized millions of lives and it currently affects millions more. At least 40 million people are currently living with HIV and in addition, an astonishing 4.9 million people were infected in 2005—95% of these people live in the developing world (Global Challenge, 3).

Upon further examination it becomes obvious that the issues surrounding the HIV/AIDS pandemic have fostered an irrepressible cycle. Dissecting this cycle relies on the vital understanding of the cultural correlation associated with HIV/AIDS and the source of its continuous growth. Aside from the fact that there is no known cure of HIV/AIDS, there are many reasons why the problem still exists.

For example, it is well known that Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rate of infection in the world. These regions of Africa host some of the poorest living conditions currently faced by man. Everyday, too many people in the world are forced to struggle to make ends meet. Ill health and death present an immensely negative impact on agricultural productivity. The unstable situation of extreme food shortages existing in Sub-Saharan Africa is a result in weather extremes and the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Residents of these areas are plagued with a scope of inconceivable difficulties and cannot escape the lack of social, political, and economic advancements hindering the sustainable development of Africa.

HIV/AIDS can have a profound impact on a highly infected country. It is primarily killing those in their productive and procreative years, resulting in a lower life expectancy inhibits social and economic growth and yields more orphans than the world has ever seen. The amount of child-headed households as a result to HIV/AIDS is astonishing. More than ever, it is necessary to have a developed infrastructure and access to proper care and treatments. It would not be unusual for someone to attempt to help a small gravely sick child and discover that the closest hospital is inconveniently located 22km along unmarked broken roads. Upon arrival, one would discover that the facilities are inadequate.

Like children, Women are at a strong disadvantage due to their lack of access to education and the fact that they are dependent on the income of their husband (Global Challenge, 5). More adult women (÷15 years) than ever before are now infected with HIV. In 2006, 17.7 million women were living with HIV, representing an increase of over one million compared with 2004 (UNAIDS.ORG). Many of these women are unaware of how to protect themselves from the pandemic. Social expectations prevent women from protecting themselves in relationships and sexual encounters.

Unfortunately, the issues created by HIV/AIDS are an interconnected catastrophe and there is no easy fix to this under funded, attention-worthy issue. NGOs are doing what they can to pick up the rest of the world’s slack and help minimize the suffering and prevent the deaths of the 150,000 people in Africa that die every month due to avoidable disease (Global Issues, 22). The private sector often helps by designing culturally sensitive education programs and sharing prevention techniques with local communities to help fight HIV/AIDS. There is an overwhelming lack of assistance from the global community and government regarding HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS is not just the carrier’s problem—it’s our problem too. It is our responsibility to inspire change, educate, and provide care, basic social services and security to these deserving people.

Irwin, Alexander and Joyce Millen, and Dorothy Fallows. (2003). Global AIDS: Myths and facts: Tools for fighting the AIDS pandemic. Cambridge: South End Press.

Why Should We Care About AIDS in Africa?

Although there are political borders, social differences and other classifications that are employed to divide us, we are all contributors to a much superior community. This community is delicate, yet powerful and it is up to us as a global population to work together as a cohesive community ensuring that every member of our global community is not subjected to injustice or inequality.

It is difficult to argue that issues existing in Africa have no affect on the United States. It is evident that HIV/AIDS not only affects health, it also infects the social and economic sectors of mostly underdeveloped nations. These underdeveloped nations such as Namibia, Zimbabwe, and so many other African nations all rely on the assistance of the United States. If we could promote a long-term goal, a need for funding would be significantly minimized.

Upon further examination it becomes obvious that the issues surrounding the HIV/AIDS pandemic have fostered an irrepressible cycle. Dissecting this cycle relies on the vital understanding of the cultural correlation associated with HIV/AIDS and the source of its continuous growth. Aside from the fact that there is no known cure of HIV/AIDS, there are many reasons why the problem still exists.

One primary factor is that HIV/AIDS does not deserve the attention and dedication that it deserves from the government. Thereby making it our responsibility as dual-citizens (a citizen of both the United States and the world) to exercise our rights of democracy and challenge our government. NGOs are doing what they can to pick up the rest of the world’s slack and help minimize the suffering and prevent the deaths of the 150,000 people in Africa that die every month due to avoidable disease—but these few select individuals are not enough to change the world, they will need help from the rest of the team (Irwin, 2003).

There is an overwhelming lack of assistance from the global community and government regarding HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS is not just the carrier’s problem—it’s our problem too. It is our responsibility to inspire change, educate, and provide care, basic social services and security to these deserving people.

ARV therapy will decrease the number of orphans and child-headed households, minimize AIDS-related hospitalizations, and “contribute to the well-being of the wider population by improving life expectancy, economic stability, food production, tuberculosis control, and children’s health” (Irwin 2003).

Providing such assistance to the infected would provide incalculable long-term benefits to the global population. It is important to note that AIDS treatment should not be intended to replace efforts fighting other diseases in the developing world; but instead, “AIDS control programs should be added to existing public health agendas” (Irwin 2003).

Now I’m not saying that we all have to pack up our backs and move to Africa to solve the AIDS pandemic. I am however, certain that unparalleled differences could be made if people would begin to think globally and act locally. Find a way to donate to the cause, have a conversation with someone about the issues surrounding AIDS, anything—all of this is helping! It’s so important to remember that we don’t have to be Bill or Melinda Gates to make a difference.

If people could adopt more of a global perspective, place their self in the shoes of our suffering brothers and sisters, and begin to see the world through the eyes of others—I know things would change. Once removed from the monotony of their everyday lives, people would be inspired to extend their assistance. This alone could help countries move from poverty to prosperity. Like it or not, we are all global citizens. Whether we choose to embrace the privilege is a personal choice.

What is it going to take for the world to realize that a united and civil global society possesses the power to transform the future of so many lives? With the help of active citizenship from a compassionate international public, the private sector, the improvements of education, industry, and agriculture, we can undoubtedly change the future of AIDS (Irwin 2003). The tools to fix this problem are in the box; we just have to teach the rest of the world to use them. If saving the lives of millions of people isn't enough incentive to wake up the world--then I don't know what is.

Irwin, Alexander and Joyce Millen, and Dorothy Fallows. (2003). Global AIDS: Myths and facts: Tools for fighting the AIDS pandemic. Cambridge: South End Press.

Today, there exists many organizations that help with the prevention and treatment of those affected by AIDS:

(description/actions of organizations that work with the AIDS effort-around the globe)

"The U.S. government is the world leader in responding to the global pandemic of AIDS."

This agency works with the Presidents Emergency Relief Plan for AIDS, in that it sponsors programs in over 100 countries around the world, to help eleviate the AIDS crisis. The majority of these programs work out of Africa.

 

In accordance with this agency, the Regional Economic Development Services Office for East and Southern Africa (REDSO-ESA) work more specifically witht struggling Africa.

Their specific goal is to "focus on enhancing regional capacity to improve health systems, through strengthening regional institutions, enhancing policy dialogue, and supporting training institutions to improve technical capacity."

 

http://www.usaid.gov/

 

 

-ONE/(Red)-

 

Even Hollywood stars, so far removed from the African delimma, are taking steps to promote and raise awareness for the AIDS epidemic in Africa and around the globe. The ONE campaign and the (Red) campaigns are working together to "raise public awareness about the issues of global poverty, hunger, disease and efforts to fight such problems in the world's poorest countries. As ONE, we are asking our leaders to do more to fight the emergency of global AIDS and extreme poverty. ONE believes that allocating more of the U.S. budget toward providing basic needs like health, education, clean water and food would transform the futures and hopes of an entire generation in the world's poorest countries".

 

 

 

 

 

 

HIV/AIDS is a global issue that affects every aspect of the world:

(current articles on the topic)**

The Washington Post printed an article on the progress of AIDS research and how funding for programs in research and education. from various countries around the globe, is being put to use. They interviewed Ilene Wong of the Stanford University Hospital, to disucuss how funding development programs in Africa is helping to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, like AIDS.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2005/07/14/DI2005071401373.html

The United Nations printed an article describing how "faith-based organizations" working in Africa help bring about reform in AIDS education and prevention.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=21511&Cr=hiv&Cr1=aids

Articles on this exact topic-of "faith-based"organizational aid is also being printed in medical journals; such as one article printed in the Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/63154.php

The President of the United States, himself, proposed the "Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief" (PEPFAR), that gives funding and support to those countries greatly suffering from the AIDS epidemic.

http://www.state.gov/s/gac/rl/62477.htm