Since the first reported case of HIV/AIDs (Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) in Atlanta, Georgia in 1981, thirty years ago, there have been great strides in treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS. The diagnosis is no longer a death sentence. Although there is no known cure for the virus at the present moment, hopefully one day there will be a cure widely and readily available.
The stigma associated with having the disease is the greatest barrier to public action. Many factors contribute to the stigma that individuals with the disease have to face. The fact is that HIV/AIDs is still a relatively new disease and many people are uneducated about the transmission of the disease. People view the disease as a moral fault because HIV is most commonly associated with prostitution, homosexuality, and drug addiction. It is thought of as a disease caused by personal irresponsibility.
Possible Impacts from Economic Downturn
The world has seen great strides in the development of HIV prevention and treatment over the past several years which could quickly come to a halt with the looming global economic crises. America and many other developed countries are facing massive budget shortfalls and racking up huge piles of debt. Not only is the economic downturn affecting countries, it is also affecting individuals. Individuals no longer have the disposable income to donate to HIV/AIDs treatment and research. Financing HIV/AIDs prevention and treatment in 2010 was estimated to be around 550 billion dollars. This does not include the cost of research for the discovery of new and cutting edge treatments and eventually a cure.
If subsidy remains at 2009 levels, infections have the potential to rise from 2.3 million a year to 3.2 million a year by 2031. In 1997, the Asian Economic Crisis led to a reduction in HIV programs in several Asian Countries. Also, during economic downturns risk seeking behaviors tend to show an upward trend. These behaviors include increased intravenous drug usage as well as prostitution which increase exposure to HIV/AIDs.
Future of HIV/AIDs
Someday in the near future, hopefully soon, there will be a cure for this life threatening disease. The last decade was strong economically until the economic downturn, which enhanced international monetary efforts to manage the HIV pandemic. It is important that money is not cut for the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDs because there could be a rise in cases and mortality rates. It is highly unlikely that the Federal Government will cut funding for HIV/AIDs prevention and treatment, but the question that remains is, where will the funding come from?
Sources
- HIV/AIDs Stigma (retrieved April 5, 2011)
- Global Health: Daily Reports - AIDs (retrieved April 5, 2011)
- Gray, Heymer, Hoare, Kwon, Thein, Lote, Saramony, Saphonn, Worth, Kaldor, and Wilson. What impact might the economic crisis have on HIV epidemics in southeast Asia. Current HIV Research. 2009: 7; 656-665.
