Our World

Impact of AIDS in Africa

The HIV/AIDS epidemic has left Africa economically devastated. A statistic shows that more than one-fourth of the sub-Saharan working age is infected with HIV. In many families there is bound to be a member with the HIV/AIDS disease. The caring for these members and their sickness makes a large deficit in many monetary needs that would be used for other necessities in their daily life. Around the area of Cote d'Ivoire, many families cut spending on children’s education in half, reduce food consumption by 40% as the struggle to keep up with the needs of the HIV/AIDS carrying member. Alan Whiteside, head of Health Economics and HIV/AIDS Research Division of the University of Natal in South Africa, reports that up to 50% of the beds in South African hospitals are occupied by citizens with AIDS.

From the AIDS epidemic, the economy suffers in 2 ways. One way is the Labor Supply. The loss of young adults in their most productive years takes a toll on how productive the economy will get. Also if economic workers of the elite suffer, the number of reliable workers will decrease. The second way is through costs. Much of the money in Africa is going towards families who need to pay for medical care, drugs and funeral expenses for their family members. Having a family member suffering from AIDS causes the families money intake to go down some. Wives or daughters may have to take off work to care for the sick. By taking off, they probably won't gat their usual daily payment, which will create an economic problem for the family.

AIDS has dramatic effects in some other significant sectors. One is health. This is significant for a couple of reasons. It will increase the number of people seeing services and health care for AIDS patients is more expensive compared to any other expense. Another type of significant sector that is extremely important is education. There are three ways that make this an issue that needs some attention. The number of experienced teachers will be reduced due to AIV illness and death. Also children may be taken out of school if they are needed at home to help care for their sick members. Or they may have to drop out and get a job that will help pay for the cost of the medical needs. Lastly, is that teenagers are more prone to HIV infection due to lack of education in how to protect themselves.

Overall, I find it extremely astonishing that one country can suffer that greatly from a disease. In the United States there aren't nearly as many people with the disease as there are in Africa. Due to our good health conditions and education on how to protect yourself it makes a great impact on our quality of life. I believe that there has to be some way that we can teach the Africans on how to create a better lifestyle. I am aware that we have many fundraisers that generate money that helps provides aid struggling areas and families. But I’m not really aware that there are many educational opportunities provided. Don't you think that maybe we should focus more on the education rather than just give them the money without teaching them anything?

Impact of AIDS

posted by Anonymous @ 11/01/2006 08:47:00 PM