August 27, 2009

Brazil Confronts New Difficulties With HIV/AIDS

The global health community has recognized Brazil for its successful efforts in fighting HIV/AIDS within its borders, but the country is facing new difficulties, CNN reports.

According to the article, Brazil has saved countless of its citizens’ lives and billions of dollars in treatment costs by using generic drugs, which reduced hospital costs.

However, people with HIV are living longer and more people now require treatment, which has resulted in ever-increasing treatment costs.

People living with HIV/AIDS also are becoming susceptible to other health issues as they grow older. Heart disease is considered one of the major health issues.

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Previous Comments:

Frankie Ninja, San Francisco, 2009-08-29 10:28:50
This article is confusing in that at once, it states that Brazil is saving billions of dollars in treatment and yet its facing ever increasing treatment costs. So which is it? Are they saving money or losing money? Further, it's troubling that the implication is that HIV/AIDS patients are becoming an increasing burden on society? Does this mean that eventually, they will not be worth saving?

Tewodros, SFO, 2009-08-28 15:18:09
I find this and similar issues about survivors of HIV discomforting, we never say this things for people who survive from cancer or any other but everytime we talk about treating all HIV +ves we seem to be worried about their not dying and surviving and its consequences. It just doesn send a positive message to those working hard to get more people on treatment.