trends

The availability of ARV drugs for treatment of HIV/AIDS varies from region to region. Regardless of the extent of prevalence of HIV in the regions, it is not an exaggeration to say that AIDS is hindering development and exacting a devastating toll on families worldwide. The life expectancy of people in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to decline by atleast 13 years or more given the rapid spread of AIDS and lack of availability of ARV medications. In certain regions where there is no ARV availability, the life expectancy is predicted to drop below 35.

In several regions, the impact of this has been more traumatic on women and girls as they frequently find themselves having to drop out of school to care for infected family members. The number of children orphaned by AIDS is climbing by leaps and bounds yearly. Several households are headed by children who take on the burden of caring for their younger siblings.

Stigma and discrimination surrounding the issue further complicates the situation. Statistics reveal that AIDS-affected families are facing a rapid decline in their living standards. When affected by HIV/AIDS and they are unable to receive ARV treatment, their health deteriorates, and they find the illness simultaneously taking away their income. In many poor countries, poverty and AIDS go hand in hand.

analysis:trends

global | australia and new zealand | caribbean | east asia and pacific | e.europe and central asia | latin america | middle east and north africa | north america | south and south east asia | sub-saharan africa |
western europe