AIDS/HIV

» Markusmark - Can the Extent of AIDS in Africa Mirror in North America?

With new technology, acess to medication and economic sustainability in Canada, is it really possible to say that Western civilizations can be affected with AIDS the same way that Africa has? I believe that it can be true for some poverty inflicted areas of North America, but in Canada, I doubt that this could happen. I do realize that AIDS is still very much a problem, but hardly does this cause concern for a North American Pandemic.

-- posted by Markusmark

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» Bethina Abrahams - Can the Extent of AIDS in Africa Mirror in North America?

In response to Can the Extent of AIDS in Africa Mirror in North America? posted by Markusmark:

Hi Markusmark, Thank you for taking the time to post. Although the probability may be low that an AIDS pandemic can occur in North America, I would say that it is no means impossible. A decrease in human security, which can be brought on by any number of factors, can lead to an increase in the spread of infectious disease. We only have to look to Russia and its increasing rate of HIV/AIDS to see that.

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» woorama - Can the Extent of AIDS in Africa Mirror in North America?

In response to Can the Extent of AIDS in Africa Mirror in North America? posted by Bee888:

the biggest crime in africa isn't the victim-blaming discourses - it's the ownership of treatment medicines through intellectual property rights, which allow corporations to demand tens of thousands of dollars for medicines that cost around twenty dollars to make. this places the medicine out of the reach of the millions who desperately need it.

it is an act of terror perpetrated by the united states. and they wonder why their embassies got blown up in africa! their ridiculous responses to that retaliatory action would set in motion events that would lead to the events of 9/11 and more.

now they have the war on terror. but who are the terrorists? is it not an act of terror to impose ipr laws on africa that deny millions access to life-saving medicines?

something to add to the victim-blaming discourses for african aids victims - remember the old myth back in the nineties that africans were the first to transfer aids to the human population, from having sex with infected monkeys?

where do these ideas come from? is there a room full of nazis somewhere who make these things up?

-- posted by woorama

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» Bethina Abrahams - Can the Extent of AIDS in Africa Mirror in North America?

In response to Can the Extent of AIDS in Africa Mirror in North America? posted by woorama:

Although I fully agree that pharmaceutical companies need to make their drugs more affordable and accessible, there are a few examples of companies trying to do the right thing. Check out:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=2...

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» mellei - Can the Extent of AIDS in Africa Mirror in North America?

In response to Can the Extent of AIDS in Africa Mirror in North America? posted by woorama:

While I agree that part of the HIV/AIDS pandemic deals with intellectual property rights concerning drugs and making drugs more accessible, we must not forget that this problem is as social as it is physical or drug-administration related.

The HIV/AIDS crisis is one that is very complex, and multi-dimensional on many levels, and we should continue to treat it this way. There is no one answer. If we were to provide drugs to all those countries affected with AIDS, would the problem be simply eradicated? I don't think so. There is so much more that we have to deal with on a social level. What are the taboos concerning AIDS in places like Africa? Why is it that some individuals are scared to take antiviral treatment in places like Africa? If we provide treatment we're not solving the root of the problem either...what about providing education to youth and young adults about safe sex practices? Sadly, we are yet to address some of the more pressing issues as well (as identified at the AIDS conference), and that is being mature and identifying the groups that are affected and have been denied like sex workers and homosexuals.

I am by no means an expert on this issue but it is one I feel very passionate about. I think it's time that we look at this issue as one that is a global pandemic and one that requires collaboration between many professions. As I said, it's multi-dimensional and I believe that it needs to be treated this way.

-- posted by mellei

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» Bethina Abrahams - Can the Extent of AIDS in Africa Mirror in North America?

In response to Can the Extent of AIDS in Africa Mirror in North America? posted by mellei:

I agree with you Mellei. I think it has been often said that the medical field and technology are not going to solve most of the world's health problems. Most health issues in the developing world come down to things like poverty, access to clean water, safety, equality, etc. Pharmaceuticals can make a huge difference in the fight against AIDS by allowing people to live a longer, productive life thereby preventing the increase in AIDS orphans and the loss of the working class. But I don't think it is the end all to the AIDS pandemic.

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