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Stemming the spread of the AIDS epidemic 2004/11/26 http://www.chinapost.com.tw/editorial/detail.asp?GRP=I&id=54916 The annual report by UNAIDS � the United Nations organization dealing with AIDS � and the World Health Organization (WHO), released ahead of World AIDS Day on December 1, shows a troubling rise in the prevalence of AIDS around the world. According to the report, the number of adults and children living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, reached its highest level ever in 2004 with an estimated 39.4 million, compared to about 36.6 million two years ago. Over 3 million people died of the deadly disease this year. The figures have increased considerably in both Asia and Europe, as well in as in Africa. In Taiwan, the number of residents infected with HIV has surpassed 6,000 over the past two decades, according to data from the Department of Health. Despite anti-AIDS efforts made by the government and private groups, the tally has been growing at about 15 percent annually, and is projected to more than double to the 15,000 mark by 2011. The surge will incur an economic loss of US$1.6 billion. Generally speaking, the infection rate for HIV or AIDS is higher in developing countries than in the developed world. Yet Taiwan, which is economically well developed, has seen a rapid increase in the spread of AIDS among residents. One reason is that young people on the island are increasingly liberal about sex. Currently youth make up about 20 percent of Taiwan's AIDS sufferers. Approximately 1,300 15 to 24 year-olds have caught the disease in Taiwan, according to official figures. There are many more who are carriers of the HIV virus but have not been diagnosed. Health officials say teenagers are most susceptible to contracting AIDS because they tend to neglect what it takes to protect themselves against the disease the first time they have sex. Another reason for the big increase in AIDS cases is the spread of drug abuse. Drug abusers can be exposed to infected blood by sharing needles or equipment used to prepare drugs for injection. The government has done a great deal to halt the rise in AIDS, but the rapid rise in the numbers of HIV carriers and AIDS patients indicate that much more must be done. Preventing drug abuse is an important approach to controlling HIV infection. The authorities must launch an aggressive, prolonged battle against drug abuse, making intensive efforts to catch drug dealers and helping drug addicts break the harmful habit. Revising the law to make penalties for drug trafficking stiffer would be a helpful measure. Educating citizens on AIDS is an urgent step in preventing the spread of AIDS. Teaching children what AIDS is, how the HIV virus is transmitted and how to stay away from it is essential for protecting young people from this life-threatening disease. It is necessary, meanwhile, to raise public awareness. Public health agencies should endeavor to focus public attention on the AIDS crisis. Private figures, businessmen and entertainers in particular, can help by making fundraising efforts. The ultimate solution to the AIDS problem lies in finding an effective vaccine against the disease. Many research projects are now being implemented by scientists. Although progress in this area has been slow, it is believed that the goal will finally be reached. Governments and scientists around the globe should make a collective effort to stem the spread of the AIDS epidemic. For the time being, anti-AIDS programs in Africa and southern Asia � regions with the largest numbers of AIDS patients, deserve the most help. The advanced, rich countries should take the lead in pushing for such programs. =========+========= FEEDBACK? http://nativenewsonline.org/Guestbook/guestbook.cgi GIVE FOOD: THE HUNGERSITE http://www.thehungersite.com/ Reprinted under Fair Use http://nativenewsonline.org/fairuse.htm =========+========= Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Native News Online a Service of Barefoot Connection Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Nat-International/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
