Short description
Scientists race to find a cure for HIV/AIDS, the worst epidemic to hit humankind since the Black Death. This book explains the science, the international and local politics, the demographics, and the devastating consequences of the disease, and explores how we have - and must - respond.
Long description
HIV/AIDS is without doubt the worst epidemic to hit humankind since the Black Death. The first case was identified in 1981; by 2004 it was estimated that about 40 million people were living with the disease, and about 20 million had died. Despite rapid scientific advances there is still no cure and the drugs are expensive and toxic. Because of controversies and taboos surrounding safe drug usage and prostitution, the numbers of people infected continues to rise. However, it is in the developing world and especially parts of Africa that the real catastrophe is unfolding. In some of the worst affected countries life expectancy has plummeted to below 35 years, which has led to a serious decline in economic growth, a sharp rise in orphaning, and the imminent collapse of health care systems. The news is not all bleak though. There have been unprecedented breakthroughs in understanding diseases and developing drugs. Because the disease is so closely linked to sexual activity and drug use, the need to understand and change behaviour has caused us to reassess what it means to be human and how we should operate in the globalising world. This Very Short Introduction provides an introduction to the disease, tackling the science, the international and local politics, the fascinating demographics, and the devastating consequences of the disease, and explores how we have -- and must -- respond.
Review
Packed with statistics and handy explanations of science. It won't make you an expert. But you'll know what you're talking about and you'll have a better idea of all the work we still have to do to wrestle this monster to the ground. Aids-free world website. An essential read... Readers will gain understanding of the medical, social, political and ethical issues involved in this tragic epidemic. AIDSportal Website
Table of contents
- 1. The emergence and state of the HIV/AIDS epidemic
- 2. How HIV/AIDS works and scientific responses
- 3. The factors that shape different epidemics
- 4. Illness, deaths, and populations
- 5. The impact of AIDS on production and people
- 6. AIDS and politics
- 7. Responding to HIV/AIDS
- 8. The next 25 years