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Multicultural Perspectives, HIV and AIDS

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Multicultural Perspectives, HIV and AIDS
Countries with Lowest HIV/AIDS Infection Rates When the first incidences of what is now known as the AIDS virus was reported back in the early 1980’s, not much was known about the illness. With even health care professionals baffled at the sudden appearance of this mystery disease, naturally, hysteria ensued. As such, many misconceptions surrounding the nature and origins of the virus spread. By the mid-80’s, the disease had been identified as AIDS or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, and HIV or human immunodeficiency virus had been discovered to cause it. After over thirty years of research, medical advances have been made in the early detection of HIV as well as its prevention. Because of these advances as well as consistent efforts to educate the general population some regions have been able to successfully contain the disease, or keep the infection rate at relatively low levels. It is now accepted as fact that HIV causes AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, a medical condition defined by the immune system’s inability to fight off infections. What HIV does is attack the immune system cells, over time leaving the body susceptible to infection. AIDS is diagnosed when a person has developed an AIDS related condition, an opportunistic infection, AIDS related cancer, or when the number of immune system cells (CD4 cells) drops below a certain level. Since its discovery in 1981, over thirty million people have died from AIDS, and an estimated thirty four million people worldwide are living with HIV/AIDS today. As of yet, there is still no cure and the most successful treatment for HIV and AIDS is through antiretroviral therapy. The use of preventative measures, antiretroviral therapy, and other factors have been the cause for lower infection rates in the populations of certain regions as opposed to the harder hit regions in the rest of the world. That is not to say that these regions are not at risk, but that socio-economic factors have kept


Cited: Anderson, Tim. "HIV/AIDS in Cuba: A rights-based analysis" Health and Human Rights: An International Journal[Online], 11 10 Sep 2009. 5 Jan. 2013. Bentley, Molly. "Cuba Leads the Way in HIV Fight." BBC News. BBC, 17 Feb. 2003. Web. 4 Jan. 2013. "Central Intelligence Agency." CIA "Country Comparison: HIV/AIDS- Adult Prevalence Rate." The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2013. . Gall, Carlotta Karsikos, Kimmo. "How to Reach Zero? HIV/AIDS Treatment in a Low Prevalence Country." Reach Zero. Swiss Re Center for Global Dialogue, 22 May 2012. Web. 6 Jan. 2013. . Morison, Linda Obermeyer, Carla M. "HIV in the Middle East." Home. BMJ Group, 19 Oct. 2006. Web. 6 Jan. 2013. . Peter, Tom A "Population Statistics. Svalbard." Statistics Norway. N.p., 20 Sept. 2012. Web. 6 Jan. 2013. . “Svalbard” "Syria: Focus on HIV/AIDS." Humanitarian News and Analysis. IRINnews, n.d. Web. 5 Jan. 2013. . UNGASS Country Progress Report

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