BSHS302
May 21, 2012
Faye Flanagan
HIV/AIDS
Social issues facing HIV/AIDS today are as diverse as the people that are affected by the disease. Advocating for a large group of people takes action at the macro human service practice. The goals and intervention strategies will be similar to micro human service and will involve the same strategies to bring justice to human rights for all members of society.
One strategy is including a broader range of other diversity in research in gender studies, including gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people (GLBT). Men and GLBT people have not been addressed in mainstream research. These groups make up a large contingent of the population that is affected with HIV/AIDS today. Education through studies of these groups will help give the public a clearer picture on how to help make a difference in the future. When men come to the understanding that they are victimized by traditional gender roles and gender-biased social norms, just as women are, they become part of the solution and help women change these gender-biased norms and values (Ghajarieh & Kow, 2011).
Education is a key to opening the minds of individuals who have little contact with people that have HIV/AIDS. The publics’ knowledge of the disease is gender-biased. Most people are under the idea that it still is a gay man’s or poor person’s disease. HIV/AIDS has affected all ages, every race, and economic situations in every country. Knowledge through programs that put the spotlight on who is affected will give people a better idea on how to help. Education starts at an early age in school where children can be exposed to how HIV/AIDS in impacting their world today.
Another intervention strategy is about giving empowerment to those affected by the disease. The social work practice setting needs to be open up for engaging dialogue with individuals and large groups within a safe environment and a positive attitude ( Suk-hee, 2010).
Social
References: Ghajarieh, A., & Kow, K. (2011). Addressing Men and Gender Diversity in Education: A Promising Solution to the HIV/AIDS Epidemic. Health Care For Women International, 32(4), 314-327. doi:10.1080/07399332.2010.532577 Suk-hee, K. (2010). AIDS and the Question of Culture: Focus on Social Cognitive Theory. Social Work In Public Health, 25(1), 1-5. doi:10.1080/19371910802611849 Cases of HIV Infection and AIDS in the United States, by Race/Ethnicity, 2000-2004. HIV/AIDS Surveillance Supplemental Report, 2006: 12(1). Accessed from http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/resources/reports/2006 supp_vol12no1/table2.htm on 4/1/08 retrieved May 15, 2012 Dubois, Marcel, J., Survey of Urban Aboriginals’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviours regarding HIV/AIDS and related Issues, for the Urban Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Project, Montreal, 1996. Retrieved May 17, 2012 UNAIDS: Report on the global AIDS epidemic – July 2004. Geneva; 2004. May 18, 2012