Some more or less random thoughts today:
An organization called the Centre for Global Development publishes an annual index measuring the rich countries who show the highest commitment to alleviating poverty in developing countries. In addition to the amount of money spent on aid, the index evaluates seven policies, including openness to migrants, policing sea lanes and selling arms to unsavory regimes (for which a country loses points). Who comes out on top? The Netherlands, with Denmark, Sweden and Norway close behind. Of the 21 countries listed, the U.S. finished 13th. Japan was last. This is an interesting and seemingly effective method of evaluation insofar as it looks beyond the amount of money donated and looks at the broader picture.
The situation in Darfur is going from bad to worse. The Sudanese government has refused to allow the UN to assume responsibility for the African Union forces stationed in Darfur. This comes on the heels of the government's refusal to agree to the more robust UN peacekeeping force approved earlier this year. So long as China and other countries continue to sell arms to Sudan and rely on oil exports from there, it seems nothing much will happen to alleviate the suffering in Darfur. Amnesty International U.S. has issued a "Call to Action" in an attempt to mobilize its members in support of the people of Darfur. See www.darfur.amnesty.org.
Commentators have been assessing the state of the battle against HIV/AIDS in the wake of the International Conference on AIDS held last week in Toronto. The emphasis seems to be shifting from treatment to prevention. While we must not abandon those who already have contracted HIV or have AIDS, it seems clear to me that prevention is the only way to address this in the long run. A vaccine would be wonderful, of course, but one seems very far off. Less complex preventive methods, such as diaphragms and other cervical barriers that can be used with microbicide gels and creams seem to be promising. Interestingly, men who are circumcised are far less likely to become infected. In addition, some studies are showing that using antiretroviral drugs on a prophylactic basis may prevent reduce the likelihood of infection, too.
If not one more person worldwide became HIV positive ever again, we would still face an enormous cost of treatment using current treatment methods. This is because the ARVs simply suppress the virus but do not eliminate it from the body. Thus, pending new treatments, every person who is HIV positive must receive ARV treatment for the rest of his/her life. Do we have to do this? Yes. Can we afford it? Yes. But the cost is enormous and grows daily.
Of course, providing effective HIV screening and treatment is fraught with difficulties. In South Africa, for example, there is such a negative stigma associated with being HIV positive that people will refuse treatment rather than admitting their condition to themselves and others. A recent article in the New York Times explains how pregnant women with HIV sometimes refuse nevirapine, which can help prevent transmission of the virus to their babies, so that no one will know that they are HIV positive. This personal and societal denial is incredibly sad. But it exemplifies the challenges faced by those on the frontlines of the battler against this disease.
An organization called the Centre for Global Development publishes an annual index measuring the rich countries who show the highest commitment to alleviating poverty in developing countries. In addition to the amount of money spent on aid, the index evaluates seven policies, including openness to migrants, policing sea lanes and selling arms to unsavory regimes (for which a country loses points). Who comes out on top? The Netherlands, with Denmark, Sweden and Norway close behind. Of the 21 countries listed, the U.S. finished 13th. Japan was last. This is an interesting and seemingly effective method of evaluation insofar as it looks beyond the amount of money donated and looks at the broader picture.
The situation in Darfur is going from bad to worse. The Sudanese government has refused to allow the UN to assume responsibility for the African Union forces stationed in Darfur. This comes on the heels of the government's refusal to agree to the more robust UN peacekeeping force approved earlier this year. So long as China and other countries continue to sell arms to Sudan and rely on oil exports from there, it seems nothing much will happen to alleviate the suffering in Darfur. Amnesty International U.S. has issued a "Call to Action" in an attempt to mobilize its members in support of the people of Darfur. See www.darfur.amnesty.org.
Commentators have been assessing the state of the battle against HIV/AIDS in the wake of the International Conference on AIDS held last week in Toronto. The emphasis seems to be shifting from treatment to prevention. While we must not abandon those who already have contracted HIV or have AIDS, it seems clear to me that prevention is the only way to address this in the long run. A vaccine would be wonderful, of course, but one seems very far off. Less complex preventive methods, such as diaphragms and other cervical barriers that can be used with microbicide gels and creams seem to be promising. Interestingly, men who are circumcised are far less likely to become infected. In addition, some studies are showing that using antiretroviral drugs on a prophylactic basis may prevent reduce the likelihood of infection, too.
If not one more person worldwide became HIV positive ever again, we would still face an enormous cost of treatment using current treatment methods. This is because the ARVs simply suppress the virus but do not eliminate it from the body. Thus, pending new treatments, every person who is HIV positive must receive ARV treatment for the rest of his/her life. Do we have to do this? Yes. Can we afford it? Yes. But the cost is enormous and grows daily.
Of course, providing effective HIV screening and treatment is fraught with difficulties. In South Africa, for example, there is such a negative stigma associated with being HIV positive that people will refuse treatment rather than admitting their condition to themselves and others. A recent article in the New York Times explains how pregnant women with HIV sometimes refuse nevirapine, which can help prevent transmission of the virus to their babies, so that no one will know that they are HIV positive. This personal and societal denial is incredibly sad. But it exemplifies the challenges faced by those on the frontlines of the battler against this disease.
posted by Darryl Vhugen at 9:59 AM
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