Global Implication of HIV/AIDS: NRS 428 Epidemiology Paper Assignment

 

The impact of HIV/AIDs is wide-reaching. There are currently many orphans in the world courtesy of the HIV/AIDS disease. Therefore, the analysis of the burden of the disease should focus on both the social and financial impacts. It is estimated that about 770,000 people died of HIV/AIDS disease in 2018. The statistics show that many people have died over time and the number of people left as orphans is high. The majority of the orphans tend to be dependent and this shows that HIV/AIDS creates a significant economic crisis.

According to (Bandera et al., 2018), 1.7 million new infections new cases of HIV/AIDs have been reported this year with many families being destabilized due to death. For example, in cases where a family loses their breadwinner to the virus, their living conditions change significantly. Therefore, high incidences of HIV/AIDS are linked to high poverty levels.  Furthermore, government institutions have to spend a lot of money on HIV/AIDS drugs, screening, and health promotion. Besides, it takes a lot of resources to manage the complications arising from the infection.

The rise in healthcare costs is always addressed by developing measures aiming at reducing the spread of the disease among the populations. While many organizations donate funds to fight the disease, such measures may not be sustainable as many resources could be lost in the process. Therefore, reducing the spread of the infection is the main target in the minimization of the costs incurred in the health sector. Various foundations have been established include the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation which supports many people living with HIV/AIDS in Africa (Bandera et al., 2018). HIV is endemic in some regions due to poor cultural and social practices. Statistics indicate that the disease is becoming endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, with an estimated prevalence rate of 12%; this is higher than the global prevalence rate of 5%.

NRS 428 Epidemiology Paper Assignment Conclusion

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) affects many populations globally both directly and indirectly. The disease is mainly transmitted through sexual intercourse, though, people may also contract it through blood transfusion and sharing sharp objects with infected individuals. Early diagnosis is key in reducing the spread of the disease since people initiated on ARTs develop low viral load which has a lower infectivity rate. Furthermore, the efforts directed to fight the disease should be guided by epidemiological information; more efforts should be directed to the endemic regions. Creating awareness and educating the public on the burden of HIV/AIDS disease is important in its eradication.

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