AIDS/HIV

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

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