Rising food costs may impede African HIV programs, The Press Association reports (ukpress.google.com, 7/28).
According to the article, poor diets have weakened antiretroviral treatment. Some patients end treatment to avoid medical costs and—in some cases—to buy food, according to the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD), the British aid agency raising the alarm.
"The current food crisis is seriously threatening the progress the world has made on combating HIV,” says Ann Smith, HIV corporate strategist for CAFOD. “Those of us working with people who are HIV positive must make sure that they are receiving an adequate diet, if necessary by providing nutritional support.”
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Jeff, Phoenix, 2008-07-31 11:01:25
Forget Africa, food prices in the USA have gone through the roof. It is now a luxury item to buy fresh fruits and vegtables, forget meat. I am caugth on the edge, last appp for food stamps I did I made 10 dollars a mo over.
Love the stress of walking through a supermarket and only foods I can afford is the dross and least healthy for a diet. Many Times I have to fight tears of frustration and dispaire as I shop.
Beth Benne, RN, is HIV negative, but
the virus has impacted her life. She currently supervises a biannual HIV/AIDS awareness week as
the director of the student health center at Pierce College, a
community commuter school in Woodland Hills, California.
Woman of the Month is supported by exclusive advertising from Gilead.
Overheard in the Women's Forum
"I think that it's OK to be angry. I am sometimes—it's natural—we are HIV positive. but I always try to not let myself stay there too long. Let yourself feel you are human. You should not beat yourself up about being angry."
