Population and HealthInfectious and Lifestyle Diseases

Two Types of Disease

Infectious (communicable)

HIV/Aids

Tuberculosis

Malaria

Lifestyle (non communicable)

Heart Disease

Cancer

Obesity

Diabetes

HIV/AIDS in the World

Sub Saharan Africa

UK (Developed World)

HIV/AIDS

Currently 33 million infected

24 million of those are in Sub Saharan Africa.

Mainly affects 18 - 40 age group

Affects women more than men.

Swaziland

HIV/AIDS

In Canada .3% or 1/334 people.

Worldwide 25 million have died to date

worldwide 2 million die each year

(2007 WHO Stats)

Effects of Aids on Population - Botswana

Loss in Life Expectancy

How is it Spread?

Sexually

Injection drug use

Mother to Child

Occupational Exposure

Blood transfusion/donation (rarely)

Question

What needs to be done to address the problem of HIV/Aids?

Community Engagement

https://www.ted.com/talks/mitchell_besser_mothers_helping_mothers_fight_hiv

Medical Care

Available Medication (costs 3000 per month)

Unlikely to spread when people are treated.

Doctors and nurses to make diagnosis.

Enough doctors and nurses to have the time to educate about the diagnosis

Support groups

Education

Dispel Rumors/myths “sex with virgins cures AIDS”

Doesn’t mean infidelity

Make it so women do not have to hide drugs from husbands

Condom use.

Stigma and HIV/AIDS

HIV-related stigma refers to prejudice, negative attitudes and abuse directed at people living with HIV and AIDS.

Results in people not seeking treatment or diagnosis

More spreading throughout the population

Stigma HIV/AIDS

This fear means that many people believe:

HIV is associated with behaviours that people disapprove of (like homosexuality, drug use, sex work or infidelity)

being infected with HIV is the result of moral fault (such as infidelity or 'deviant sex') that deserves to be punished.

inaccurate information about how HIV is transmitted, creating irrational behaviour and misperceptions of personal risk.

Effects of Stigma

Loss of income and livelihood - some countries deny victims work in public places.

Loss of marriage and childbearing options - women can be thrown out of house for suspected cheating.

Poor care within the health sector - laws and policies of public notification of infection.

Withdrawal of caregiving in the home.

Ted Talks

Laws and Aids

https://www.ted.com/talks/shereen_el_feki_how_to_fight_an_epidemic_of_bad_laws

Drug use

https://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_pisani_sex_drugs_and_hiv_let_s_get_rational_1