HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS represent the single greatest humanitarian crisis in modern history. Since the beginning of the epidemic nearly 20 million people have died from the disease. By the end of 2003 over 40 million people were living with HIV/AIDS around the world, including 5 million people who acquired HIV that year. Current projections indicate that an additional 45 million people will become infected by 2010, and an additional 68 million deaths can be expected by the year 2020.
The number of people who have succumbed to this disease since the beginning of the epidemic, combined with those currently living with HIV/AIDS, exceeds the total number killed in World War II. Without immediate action, over the next few decades the number of people affected will likely exceed the total number killed in all the major conflicts of the 20th century combined.
Sub-Saharan Africa remains by far the region worst affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. HIV/AIDS is the number one cause of death in Sub Saharan Africa, and world wide for those 15-59 years old. Africa is home to nearly 70% of all adults and 80% of all children living with HIV/AIDS. Unless the world succeeds in drastically expanding global prevention efforts, an additional 55 million deaths can be expected in Sub Saharan Africa by the year 2020.
Research suggests that in this case prevention is better than cure, by employing simple , , practical strategies and methods into infected countries like Sub-Saharan Africa, the numbers affected by the pandemic will increase drastically. Primarily this would involve instigating decent sex education to the public, creating awareness of the disease and precautionary measures that can be followed to prevent its spread. Secondly dispensing basic contraception free to the public and educating them on its necessity proves to be an important aspect in the battle against this disease.
The problem mainly in installing decent precautionary measures in these countries is simply lack of funding. Governments cannot afford to spend on such campaigns when more than half the countries GDP is being used to pay off the countries debt. Once more poverty is to blame. This killer epidemic is just one of its many harsh consequences. This is why something has to be done, to help these countries; these governments look after the welfare of their people. It is in one of the 8 millennium goals set by the UN to combat AIDS/HIV by the year 2015, so let’s play our part and make sure these promises are lived up to. And once and for all rid these infected countries of this inhuman disease.