Foreword 11 Introduction 14

Transcription

1 Contents Foreword 11 Introduction 14 Chapter 1: The Spread of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic 1. The AIDS Plague in the West Is Not Over 20 Alex Blaze Anti-AIDS drugs are not available to many people. AIDS remains a major threat both in the West and in the developing world. Claiming the AIDS crisis is over is disingenuous and dangerous. 2. The AIDS Epidemic in Britain Was a Myth 24 Michael Fitzpatrick Warnings of a major HIV/AIDS epidemic in Britain were overstated by AIDS organizations. HIV/AIDS is not sufficiently infectious to have ever presented a real epidemic threat in Britain. 3. Africa s HIV/AIDS Epidemic Is Especially 31 Virulent Because of Poverty Noel Dzimnenani Mbirimtengerenji The HIV/AIDS epidemic in sub-saharan Africa has been so severe in part because of the region s poverty and especially because of the way that poverty is linked to prostitution. 4. Africa s HIV/AIDS Epidemic Is Especially 41 Virulent Because It Was First John Iliffe The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa has been especially virulent because the disease became established in the general population before it was discovered. Factors such as poverty and sexual traditions, which are often blamed, were of only secondary importance. 5. Senegal Controlled Its AIDS Epidemic 55 United States Agency for International Development

2 Senegal has had substantial success in fighting HIV/AIDS. Its aggressive government response to the epidemic included promotion of condom use, educational efforts, and the involvement of religious and community leaders. 6. The Epidemic in the Philippines Has Been 62 Less Virulent than Expected Eugenio M. Caccam Jr. The Philippines has been spared the worst of the AIDS epidemic, perhaps because of its culture and geography. However, if preventive steps are not taken, AIDS rates in the Philippines could still rise. 7. Pakistan Is on the Verge of an AIDS Epidemic 72 Mohammad A. Rai, Haider J. Warraich, Syed H. Ali, and Vivek R. Nerurkar Pakistan has avoided an AIDS epidemic for twenty years, but the disease is growing among high-risk groups such as injecting drug users. A strong government response is needed quickly if Pakistan is to avoid a full-blown epidemic. 8. The HIV/AIDS Epidemic Creates Orphans 82 in China and Worldwide César Chelala The growing AIDS epidemic in China is creating a growing number of orphans. Worldwide, the orphaning of children on a massive scale is one of the most serious social consequences of the AIDS epidemic. Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 87 Chapter 2: Treatment of HIV/AIDS 1. In Sub-Saharan Africa, Failure to Accept Scientific Consensus Interferes with HIV Treatment Marco Evers In many African nations, anti-aids efforts are hampered by superstition and ignorance. Even many governments promulgate quack cures and disinformation. 89

3 2. In India, the Scientific Consensus Has Not 98 Led to Effective HIV Treatment Rupa Chinai HIV-positive women in India say that poor nutrition and poverty make people vulnerable to illness. They argue that fresh fruits and vegetables and a positive attitude help them stay healthy, and organizations should help promote healthy choices. 3. Hopeful Progress Is Being Made 106 Toward an AIDS Vaccine Khopotso Bodibe An AIDS vaccine tested in Thailand gave recipients some immunity to the disease. This is the first indication that an AIDS vaccine may be feasible. Further testing is planned. 4. Drugs Rather than Vaccines May Be 111 the Key to Controlling AIDS The Economist Creating an AIDS vaccine is proving difficult. A better approach might be to make sure to deliver antiretroviral drugs to all of those already infected by the disease. This would make those treated less infectious, thus limiting the spread of the disease. 5. HIV/AIDS Treatment Is Hampered 116 by Lack of Political Will Kate Kelland Scientists have developed effective means of fighting HIV/ AIDS. However, policy makers have been unwilling to provide the funds necessary to implement them. 6. Brazil Needs to Alter Its Policy on Providing 120 Anti-AIDS Drugs Alexandre Grangeiro, Luciana Teixeira, Francisco I. Bastos, and Paulo Teixeira Acquiring antiretroviral drugs is becoming more and more expensive in Brazil. As a result, Brazil s policy of providing universal access to antiretroviral drugs is unsustainable. Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 129

4 Chapter 3: Moral Issues and HIV/AIDS 1. Prosecuting Canadians Who Fail to Disclose HIV/AIDS Is Moral Rosie DiManno Johnson Aziga, a Canadian man, lied about his HIVpositive status to sexual partners and infected many of them. These actions were immoral, and his conviction for murder was just. 2. Prosecuting Germans Who Fail to Disclose HIV/AIDS Is Not Moral Gisela Friedrichsen Diagnosed HIV-positive as a teen, German pop star Nadja Benaissa failed to inform sexual partners of her status. Given her youth and her expressions of regret, prosecutors have been overzealous in bringing and publicizing the case. 3. Iran s Moral Flexibility Has Helped the Fight Against AIDS Karl Vick In an effort to avoid an AIDS epidemic, Iranian leaders have begun to offer heroin addicts clean needles and methadone. The change from absolute moral condemnation of addicts should help in the fight against AIDS. 4. In Russia, Competing Moralities Hamper the Fight Against AIDS Jarrett Zigon The Russian Orthodox Church sees AIDS as the result of moral breakdown in society. Secular care providers see nonjudgmental help for those at risk of AIDS as a moral human right. These different moral visions make it hard for secular and religious groups to work together against AIDS

5 5. The Pope s Opposition to Condom Use Is Moral 166 Timothy Finigan Catholicism teaches that sexual activity should only occur for the purpose of procreation. Therefore, condom use is not an acceptable response to AIDS. In fact, nations that have helped change sexual behavior not those that have promoted condoms have had the most success in fighting AIDS. 6. The Pope s Opposition to Condom Use 175 Is Immoral Ben Goldacre Condoms are an effective method of preventing the spread of AIDS. The Catholic Church s campaign against condom use contributes to the AIDS crisis and is immoral. Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 180 Chapter 4: Discrimination and HIV/AIDS 1. HIV/AIDS Is Spreading Among Children in Eastern Europe Because of Discrimination Nina Ferencic, Ruslan Malyuta, Paul Nary, and Jadranka Mimica The marginal populations affected by AIDS in Eastern Europe are often seen as immoral. As a result, popular support for help is limited. This especially hurts young people with the disease. 2. HIV/AIDS Is Spreading in Eastern Europe Because of Free Market Changes Markus Salzmann The main cause of the spread of HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe is not discrimination but the social chaos and breakdown caused by the too-rapid change from communism to capitalism

6 3. In Asia, Discrimination Against Homosexual 196 Men Hampers the Fight Against HIV/AIDS Edmund Settle In the Asia Pacific region, HIV/AIDS has particularly affected homosexual men. Because homosexuality is criminalized in many countries in the region, however, gay men have little access to health care to fight the disease. 4. In Zambia, Discrimination Against Women 201 Hampers the Fight Against HIV/AIDS Nada Ali In Zambia, husbands are often able to beat or divorce their wives with impunity. As a result, women fear revealing that they are HIV-positive and frequently have trouble getting treatment. 5. In Indonesia, HIV/AIDS Intensifies 208 Discrimination Against Women Thaufiek Zulbahary, as told to Rochelle Jones HIV/AIDS increases discrimination against women, especially female migrant workers, in Indonesia. Female migrant workers with HIV are more likely to be prevented from working and also face increased stigmatization and discrimination. Women s rights groups need to focus on HIV/AIDS. Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 216 For Further Discussion 217 Organizations to Contact 219 Bibliography of Books 224 Index 227