"Lewis warns of 'carnage' if AIDS vaccine not found"
I was a teenager in the 1980's. AIDS was on everybody's lips and minds then. THe idea of a vaccine was whispered as a faint hope. Who talks about AIDS now? Where is the public outcry that led to the creation of the massive AIDS quilt? Has HIV/AIDS fallen prey to the 'flavour of the month (or year or decade)' phenomenon?
IN the midst of the war on terror what other chances to save thousands of lives that are now in jeopardy are being lost in the attempt to save lives that may, someday, somewhere, be in jeopardy?
20 years ago AIDS was seen as a public health crisis of the highest proportions. COndom use was widely taught and encouraged, even to the point where schools were installing dispensers in washrooms. NOw, despite the epidemic in Africa, it hardly even makes the news. NOw the US government introduces measures that work against the promotion of "safer sex" in its attempt to promote its moral ideals. What's wrong with this picture?
I've read that since Uganda started to promote abstinence, HIV infection rates have dropped significantly.
ReplyDeleteI have no objection to promoting abstinence as a part of a sexual health education policy. What I do object to is the suggestion that the BUsh Administraion has been tying financial aid to the requiremtent that condom use be discouraged. (A story I have seen more than once. I have the same objection to the ROman Catholic position--"just say no" is nice but lets also help those who can't/won't say no be safe too).
ReplyDeleteReally the scandal is that HIV/AIDS seems to largely be yesterday's news even though it is still a major health crisis. Probably even a bigger threat to human life than the war on teror but only recieving a pittance of money in comparison.