Untitled
Untitled Jul 05, 2008 
Saturday   19:15:54 
Untitled Untitled
















Untitled
Untitled
Sponsored by:
Untitled
Innovative BiomedicaLAB
Innovative BiomedicaLAB

.....

 Untitled
Untitled
Untitled
  • Untitled Global overview
  • Untitled Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Untitled Middle East and North Africa
  • Untitled Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia
  • Untitled Asia and the Pacific
  • Untitled Latin America and the Caribbean
  • Untitled More Developed Countries (MDCs)

    Untitled A: Untitled Global overview
    1. Untitled Introduction
    2. Untitled Stronger commitment
    3. Untitled Beyond complacency
    4. (a) Untitled Prompt, focused prevention
      (b) Untitled Reclaiming the future
    5. (a) Untitled Devastating cycles
      (b) Untitled Development and stability threatened
    6. Untitled Coping with crisis

    A6: Untitled Coping with crisis Untitled

    In the worst-affected countries, steep drops in life expectancies are beginning to occur, most drastically in Untitled sub-Saharan Africa , where four countries (Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique and Swaziland) now have a life expectancy of less than 40 years. Were it not for Untitled HIV/AIDS , average life expectancy in Untitled sub-Saharan Africa would be approximately 62 years; instead, it is about 47 years. In South Africa, it is estimated that average life expectancy is only 47 years, instead of 66, if Untitled AIDS were not a factor (see Figure below). And, in Haiti, it has dropped to 53 years (as opposed to 59). The number of African children who had lost their mother or both parents to the epidemic by the end of 2000 -- 12.1 million -- is forecast to more than double over the next decade. These orphans are especially vulnerable to the epidemic, and the impoverishment and precariousness it brings.

    Untitled
    Untitled
    Click on figure for a larger image.
    Untitled
        View also


    As more infants are born HIV-positive in badly affected countries, child mortality rates are also rising. In the Bahamas, it is estimated that some 60% of deaths among children under the age of five are due to Untitled AIDS , while, in Zimbabwe, the figure is 70%.

    Unequal access to affordable treatment and adequate health services is one of the main factors accounting for drastically different survival rates among those living with Untitled HIV/AIDS in rich and poor countries and communities. Public pressure and UN-sponsored engagements with pharmaceutical corporations (through the Accelerating Access Initiative), along with competition from generic drug manufacturers, has helped drive antiretroviral drug prices down. But prices remain too high for public-sector budgets in low-income countries where, in addition, health infrastructures are too frail to bring life-prolonging treatments to the millions who need it.

    Backed by a strong social movement, Brazil's government has shown that those barriers are not impregnable and that the use of cheaper drugs can be an important element of a successful response. Along with Brazil, countries such as Argentina and Uruguay also guarantee Untitled HIV/AIDS patients free antiretroviral drugs. In Africa, several governments are launching programmes to provide similar drugs through their public health systems, albeit on a limited scale, at first.

    In all such cases, though, clearing the hurdle of high prices is essential but not enough. Also indispensable are functioning and affordable health systems. Massive international support is needed to help countries meet that challenge.

    Untitled A: Untitled Global overview
    1. Untitled Introduction
    2. Untitled Stronger commitment
    3. Untitled Beyond complacency
    4. (a) Untitled Prompt, focused prevention
      (b) Untitled Reclaiming the future
    5. (a) Untitled Devastating cycles
      (b) Untitled Development and stability threatened
    6. Untitled Coping with crisis
    Untitled
    The excerpted text and figures integrated herein were mainly from the: unless indicated, otherwise.
    Untitled

    		• .....
    Untitled       First Written: 19990118       Latest Update: 20060328 Untitled
    Untitled

    .....

    		 Untitled
    Notes and Disclaimer:
      Our policy does not allow us to provide any specific health advice. Neither should the information gathered here be used as a substitute to the more thorough diagnosis by your physician. We do not have the resources to handle specific inquiries on any subject matter included in the databases.

      Inclusion of any internet site link in the pages of the various sections of Health Resources does not constitute endorsement of the information, ideas or views of the cited site. Please visit the Why this page? section in the Introduction of to learn more about our policies on privacy, general disclaimer and other pertinent information. You agree to be bound by the aforementioned policies and disclaimer if you go beyond the entry page of this website and will not hold us responsible for the consequences of what you do with the information gathered herein.

      If you are interested to help improve any of the sections or develop a new topic, to be included here, please contact us. Thanks for visiting with us.


    .....