Alan Whiteside
Author
Description
In 2008 it was believed that HIV/AIDS was 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. Yet the outlook today is a little brighter. Although HIV/ AIDS continues to be a pressing public health issue the epidemic has stabilised globally, and it has become evident it is not,...
Author
Description
As of 2004 an estimated 40 million people were living with HIV/AIDS, and about 20 million had died. Despite advances, there is still no cure, and the drugs are expensive and toxic. In the developing world, especially parts of Africa, life expectancy has plummeted to below 35 years, causing a serious decline in economic growth, a sharp increase in orphans, and the imminent collapse of health care systems. But the news is not all bleak: there have been...