The impact on African societies of the standard hypothesis that HIV/AIDS originated in the continent
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2003
Abstract
The impact of the main theory about the origins of HIV/AIDS highlights the continuing concentration of the epidemic in African nations, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. It engenders the denial of HIV-AIDS linkage and in turn seduces desperate African countries into futile policies that let millions die needlessly. HIV/AIDS in Africa is catastrophic both from a public health perspective and in terms of its impact on economic and social stability in many communities. A public health response alone is insufficient to address this devastating epidemic. Political leadership and will lag behind but are needed at the highest levels of government to mobilize an effective response to the impact of HIV/AIDS on educational systems, industry, agriculture, the military and other sectors in Africa. The links between HIV/AIDS, stigma, racism and poverty underscore the accelerated spread and degeneration of the epidemic into a full-blown disaster in Africa. AIDS is now the number one killer in Africa. The epidemic has spread beyond all predictions and now threatens the future of the continent. The international community has not been effective in helping Africa and Africans deal effectively with this horrifying disease. Extremely high levels of poverty have made it very difficult for Africans to deal with the spread of HIV/AIDS. As a result, the disease continues to spread throughout virtually all communities in the continent. The links between poverty and HIV/AIDS are bi-directional. On the one hand, poverty contributes to the vulnerability of Africans to HIV/AIDS and exacerbates the impact of HIV/AIDS on the people and their communities. On the other hand, the experience of HIV/AIDS by Africans leads to an intensification of poverty. Thus, HIV/AIDS frequently impoverishes African people in such a way as to intensify the epidemic itself.
Recommended Citation
Okeagu, Jonas E.; Okeagu, Joseph C.; and Adegoke, Ademiluyi O., "The impact on African societies of the standard hypothesis that HIV/AIDS originated in the continent" (2003). College of Humanities and Social Sciences. 404.
https://digitalcommons.uncfsu.edu/college_humanities_social_sciences/404