AIDS Epidemic in Southern Africa



AIDS Epidemic in Southern AfricaBackground: In our world today, AIDS is a disease that literately affects millions of people worldwide. It is a complicated disease that has many social and economic factors that leave impoverished countries particularly susceptible to the exposure of AIDS. UNAIDS research suspects that AIDS is responsible for 7 out of 10 deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa. The economic affects of such an epidemic are astounding. Think of the children who have to stay at home to care for sick parents, keeping them from an education and keeping parents from providing for their family. Or, think of the parents who no longer work due to the illness of a family member. These adults who are expected to be at work are now being the sole caretakers for their families, leaving the business with a limited work force and causing production to slow down; and children who are supposed to be the future of a nation’s economy are being kept from school.Many medicines that slow down the devastating HIV virus are expensive and unattainable for people living in poor communities, who not only have limited access to healthcare, but also limited funds to pay for the doses of antiretroviral drugs. Research shows that only 5 of the 10 million patients suffering from HIV/AIDS have access to treatment. In industrialized countries, health care to slow down or prevent AIDS is much more attainable and affordable. For example, only 2% of women pass HIV/AIDS to their children during birth if given the proper medicinal precautions, while the percentage is nearly 25% without treatment. Most children who are infected at birth die before their second birthday. Much work has been done to slow the spread of AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of the world, but it is a disease with many social, political and economic implications, making it a difficult disease to stop and destroying many communities across the world. Speech by Nelson Mandela to the National Conference on AIDSNelson Mandela |?October 23, 1992 | NASRECIn South Africa, this problem [AIDS} challenges the entire socio-economic fabric of our society and poses a threat to future generations. Statistics indicate that those forced to live in poor socio-economic conditions are the highest at risk in our population.As at the 30th June this year, 1316 cases of AIDS were recorded, and to majority of these we recorded in Natal, with the highest incidences of AIDS countrywide being recorded in the urban areas. Apartheid's legacy has played a great role in this factor, particularly in the black communities where overcrowding in homes does not provide for privacy within the family; where lack of housing and the creation of informal settlements as well as the lack of recreation facilities makes the black community even more susceptible...Another startling statistic is the incidence of AIDS in young children. Most children born with the AIDS virus, die before they reach their second birthday. The fact that the virus attacks the most economically active age group in our population, is also an issue worthy of discussion.Women are the most seriously affected by the AIDS virus. They are the poorest people in our country due to the lack of education and work opportunities. The position of women in our society forces them into a situation where they are unable to protect themselves or an unborn infant against the virus…Our most potent weapon against this virus is education. We have, perhaps, for some time, allowed ourselves to believe that like other epidemics it will come and go; that the great advances of our time in science and technology will offer us appropriate quick intervention.The key to our success is our own collective effort. The time for rhetorical arguments and victim blaming has passed. Now is the time for action. What we know about this disease already is enough to enable us to put in place comprehensive and appropriate intervention strategies.We already know that AIDS has no cure and no vaccine despite the intensive research efforts. Therefore, prevention remains for us the strategy we must employ. Our first thought must be the protection of our people against this disease, and therefore, it is necessary that we adopt a broad front approach to the problem.All sectors of our community must become engaged in this battle and resources available from the government must be distributed to our communities. This problem does not allow anyone the luxury of political bias or hearts- and- minds winning exercises. We need to set up a structure at national, regional and local level which goes beyond health workers and the government…I believe that a central component of our intervention strategy must be to strengthen the capacity of our people individually and collectively to recognize, understand and act decisively against this scourge.Let us ensure that everybody understand that a successful fight against AIDS, is not a success only for individuals, but for families, communities and indeed for our country as a whole…Is it not time we address the problem of illiteracy, poverty and empower our women folk - all crucial factors for an effective intervention strategy?Very few, if any diseases better illustrate the truth in the dictum "prevention is better than cure". Lastly, AIDS definitely has profound direct micro and macro-economic impacts. In the years ahead, as we face the process of national reconstruction, we shall need the best possible performance of our national economy. Let us therefore act now to ensure that our efforts at nation building and democratic transformation will not be frustrated.Review QuestionsDefine the word socio-economic. Why would AIDS have a socio-economic affect on Africa’s population?Which populations in Africa are most greatly affected by AIDS? Why?Who is to help fight the AIDS epidemic in Africa? Why is this the case? 4. What is the best way to deal with this epidemic, according to Nelson Mandela?Speech by Nelson Mandela to the National Conference on AIDSNelson Mandela |?October 23, 1992 | NASREC15240081915Why would AIDS more easily affect people who are poor?Why does disease spread easier in overpopulated areas?Why would AIDS easily affect children?Why are women also easily affected by AIDS?How can South Africa fight against AIDS?What does it mean to have a “collective effort” in fighting AIDS?Why is it important to prevent AIDS?00Why would AIDS more easily affect people who are poor?Why does disease spread easier in overpopulated areas?Why would AIDS easily affect children?Why are women also easily affected by AIDS?How can South Africa fight against AIDS?What does it mean to have a “collective effort” in fighting AIDS?Why is it important to prevent AIDS?In South Africa, this problem [AIDS] challenges the entire socio-economic fabric of our society and poses a threat to future generations. Statistics indicate that those forced to live in poor socio-economic conditions are the highest at risk in our population.As at the 30th June this year, 1316 cases of AIDS were recorded, and to majority of these we recorded in Natal, with the highest incidences of AIDS countrywide being recorded in the urban areas. Apartheid's legacy has played a great role in this factor, particularly in the black communities where overcrowding in homes does not provide for privacy within the family; where lack of housing and the creation of informal settlements as well as the lack of recreation facilities makes the black community even more susceptible...Another startling statistic is the incidence of AIDS in young children. Most children born with the AIDS virus, die before they reach their second birthday. The fact that the virus attacks the most economically active age group in our population, is also an issue worthy of discussion.Women are the most seriously affected by the AIDS virus. They are the poorest people in our country due to the lack of education and work opportunities. The position of women in our society forces them into a situation where they are unable to protect themselves or an unborn infant against the virus…Our most potent weapon against this virus is education. We have, perhaps, for some time, allowed ourselves to believe that like other epidemics it will come and go; that the great advances of our time in science and technology will offer us appropriate quick intervention.The key to our success is our own collective effort. The time for rhetorical arguments and victim blaming has passed. Now is the time for action. What we know about this disease already is enough to enable us to put in place comprehensive and appropriate intervention strategies.We already know that AIDS has no cure and no vaccine despite the intensive research efforts. Therefore, prevention remains for us the strategy we must employ. Our first thought must be the protection of our people against this disease, and therefore, it is necessary that we adopt a broad front approach to the problem.-114300114300Who is to help prevent AIDS? Why?Why does Mandela call South Africa to also address problems outside of AIDS?Why is it important to stop AIDS from an economic standpoint?00Who is to help prevent AIDS? Why?Why does Mandela call South Africa to also address problems outside of AIDS?Why is it important to stop AIDS from an economic standpoint?All sectors of our community must become engaged in this battle and resources available from the government must be distributed to our communities. This problem does not allow anyone the luxury of political bias or hearts- and- minds winning exercises. We need to set up a structure at national, regional and local level which goes beyond health workers and the government…I believe that a central component of our intervention strategy must be to strengthen the capacity of our people individually and collectively to recognize, understand and act decisively against this scourge.Let us ensure that everybody understand that a successful fight against AIDS, is not a success only for individuals, but for families, communities and indeed for our country as a whole…Is it not time we address the problem of illiteracy, poverty and empower our women folk - all crucial factors for an effective intervention strategy?Very few, if any diseases better illustrate the truth in the dictum "prevention is better than cure". Lastly, AIDS definitely has profound direct micro and macro-economic impacts. In the years ahead, as we face the process of national reconstruction, we shall need the best possible performance of our national economy. Let us therefore act now to ensure that our efforts at nation building and democratic transformation will not be frustrated.Review QuestionsDefine the word socio-economic. Why would AIDS have a socio-economic affect on Africa’s population?Which populations in Africa are most greatly affected by AIDS? Why?Who is to help fight the AIDS epidemic in Africa? Why is this the case? 4. What is the best way to deal with this epidemic, according to Nelson Mandela?Speech by Nelson Mandela to the National Conference on AIDSNelson Mandela |?October 23, 1992 | NASREC0143510Why would AIDS more easily affect people who are poor?Why does disease spread easier in overpopulated areas?Why would AIDS easily affect children?Why are women also easily affected by AIDS?How can South Africa fight against AIDS?What does it mean to have a “collective effort” in fighting AIDS?Why is it important to prevent AIDS?00Why would AIDS more easily affect people who are poor?Why does disease spread easier in overpopulated areas?Why would AIDS easily affect children?Why are women also easily affected by AIDS?How can South Africa fight against AIDS?What does it mean to have a “collective effort” in fighting AIDS?Why is it important to prevent AIDS?In South Africa, this problem [AIDS] challenges the entire socio-economic fabric of our society and poses a threat to future generations. Statistics indicate that those forced to live in poor socio-economic conditions are the highest at risk in our population.As at the 30th June this year, 1316 cases of AIDS were recorded, and to majority of these we recorded in Natal, with the highest incidences of AIDS countrywide being recorded in the urban areas. Apartheid's legacy has played a great role in this factor, particularly in the black communities where overcrowding in homes does not provide for privacy within the family; where lack of housing and the creation of informal settlements as well as the lack of recreation facilities makes the black community even more susceptible...Another startling statistic is the incidence of AIDS in young children. Most children born with the AIDS virus, die before they reach their second birthday. The fact that the virus attacks the most economically active age group in our population, is also an issue worthy of discussion.Women are the most seriously affected by the AIDS virus. They are the poorest people in our country due to the lack of education and work opportunities. The position of women in our society forces them into a situation where they are unable to protect themselves or an unborn infant against the virus…Our most potent weapon against this virus is education. We have, perhaps, for some time, allowed ourselves to believe that like other epidemics it will come and go; that the great advances of our time in science and technology will offer us appropriate quick intervention.The key to our success is our own collective effort. The time for rhetorical arguments and victim blaming has passed. Now is the time for action. What we know about this disease already is enough to enable us to put in place comprehensive and appropriate intervention strategies.We already know that AIDS has no cure and no vaccine despite the intensive research efforts. Therefore, prevention remains for us the strategy we must employ. Our first thought must be the protection of our people against this disease, and therefore, it is necessary that we adopt a broad front approach to the problem.00Who is to help prevent AIDS? Why?Why does Mandela call South Africa to also address problems outside of AIDS?Why is it important to stop AIDS from an economic standpoint?00Who is to help prevent AIDS? Why?Why does Mandela call South Africa to also address problems outside of AIDS?Why is it important to stop AIDS from an economic standpoint?All sectors of our community must become engaged in this battle and resources available from the government must be distributed to our communities. This problem does not allow anyone the luxury of political bias or hearts- and- minds winning exercises. We need to set up a structure at national, regional and local level which goes beyond health workers and the government…Let us ensure that everybody understand that a successful fight against AIDS, is not a success only for individuals, but for families, communities and indeed for our country as a whole…Is it not time we address the problem of illiteracy, poverty and empower our women folk - all crucial factors for an effective intervention strategy?Very few, if any diseases better illustrate the truth in the dictum "prevention is better than cure". Lastly, AIDS definitely has profound direct micro and macro-economic impacts. In the years ahead, as we face the process of national reconstruction, we shall need the best possible performance of our national economy. Let us therefore act now to ensure that our efforts at nation building and democratic transformation will not be frustrated.Review QuestionsThe term socio-economic means that something affects both society as a whole and the economy. Why would AIDS have a socio-economic affect on Africa’s population?Which populations in Africa are most greatly affected by AIDS? Why?Who is to help fight the AIDS epidemic in Africa? Why is this the case? 4. What is the best way to deal with this epidemic, according to Nelson Mandela? ................
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