The HIV/AIDS world-wide epidemic...
On Wednesday of this week I suggested that I would write about the AIDS epidemic. I didn’t realize at that time that I would start today.
Nelson Mandela, the South African statesman, recently told the world that his 54 year old son had died of Aids. Even before this death, Mr. Mandela had spoken out about the crisis situation in Africa. AIDS is a world-wide killer.
I would like to present a few statistics to set the stage for future writings on the topic. As of 2003, well over 40 million individuals were infected, world-wide. This is absolutely shocking, remembering that so many had already died from the virus HIV which caused the AIDS. In the young adult population, 11.8 million are living with HIV/AIDS; 7.3 million of these are women and 4.5 million are men.
As for children, 2.5 million are living with HIV/AIDS; 13.4 million children under 15 have been orphaned and these numbers are projected to be 25 million by the year 2010.
It is known that more than 1,700 infants a day contract HIV through their mothers. If left untreated, most of these children will die before their tenth birthdays.
Yes, shocking and these statistics can be examined in light of all the donations that have gone to the South Asian countries that were hit by the recent tsunami.
Would it not be wonderful to see a united common front attack on this world-wide epidemic?
Nelson Mandela, the South African statesman, recently told the world that his 54 year old son had died of Aids. Even before this death, Mr. Mandela had spoken out about the crisis situation in Africa. AIDS is a world-wide killer.
I would like to present a few statistics to set the stage for future writings on the topic. As of 2003, well over 40 million individuals were infected, world-wide. This is absolutely shocking, remembering that so many had already died from the virus HIV which caused the AIDS. In the young adult population, 11.8 million are living with HIV/AIDS; 7.3 million of these are women and 4.5 million are men.
As for children, 2.5 million are living with HIV/AIDS; 13.4 million children under 15 have been orphaned and these numbers are projected to be 25 million by the year 2010.
It is known that more than 1,700 infants a day contract HIV through their mothers. If left untreated, most of these children will die before their tenth birthdays.
Yes, shocking and these statistics can be examined in light of all the donations that have gone to the South Asian countries that were hit by the recent tsunami.
Would it not be wonderful to see a united common front attack on this world-wide epidemic?
posted by croweagle at
11:13 PM
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