Comparative Issue Paper

Comparative Issue Paper: Topic - AIDS

BY

Sophia Scott

POL 300

2-20-11

The topic of this paper is the AIDS epidemic. The title of the two comparative articles are; AIDS Epidemic Update by UNAIDS/WHO; and Global Health by USAID. I will first discuss the main points of each article from the author's perspective. Secondly, I will examine any biases that may have influence the author opinion. And Finally I will provide my thoughts on both author's point of view.

In the first article the author paints a bleak picture of the AIDS epidemic in Asia, Africa and in other developing countries. While reading the article the author states just how devastating these areas have been affected by AIDS, in 2002 it was reported that more than 3 million people died from AIDS and 42 million people are living with the virus globally. The world does recognize in order to decrease the number of new cases they must pool together resources in an effort to slow down the virus. Funds have been established to help finance the fight. One example is the Global Fund Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria which started with $616 million US dollars. They have pledges of more than $2.1 billion US dollars from Governments and donors around the world as stated on page 323 of our text, Contemporary International Problems: World Politics. Even though funds supporting AIDS research seem to have significant funding, the world still lags far behind in providing adequate treatment for the disease. As stated by the author unaffordable prices for needed drugs appear to be the main reason for their limited availability to those suffering from the illness. Another issue is those countries most affected by AIDS have limited health care infrastructures and a shortage of properly trained medical professionals.

The author also discussed that in several countries where people are exhibiting significant economical and social changes and creating conditions that are favorable to the rapid spread of AIDS. Examples of these conditions are limited access to the basic services for the affected population. In addition, more people are migrating to and from areas which increases the likelihood that the virus will spread.

As I stated early, the author paints a bleak picture by ending his article with projections that suggest that approximately 45 million people in 126 low to mid income countries will become affected with the HIV virus by 2010 unless the world can come up with an effective global prevention.

The second author tells a story of hope in fighting the disease. He outlines how three interventions have proven to be effective in the fight against the AIDS epidemic. The interventions discuss were behavior change communication, condom social marketing, and the treatment and management of sexually transmitted infections. (Page 325) USAID targeted high risk groups to educate. These groups included commercial sex workers (prostitution) and long haul truck drivers. USAID believe that using the targeting approach is the most effective way to counter the spread of HIV and provide most efficient use of limited HIV/AID prevention dollars.

USAID encourages behavior modification to alter the way people view how AIDS is transmitted. They provide counseling and valuable information to educate