Summary

Research Report: Highlight the debilitating effect that HIV/AIDS can have on individuals, households, communities and entire countries, especially the poor.

Description

Author: David E. Bloom and Jaypee Sevilla

This paper is one in a series of four background papers used to inform
discussions at the HIV/AIDS and Development in the Asia Pacific Ministerial
Conference held in October 2001. The paper exploits existing research to
highlight the debilitating effect that HIV/AIDS can have on individuals,
households, communities and entire countries, especially the poor. As the
epidemic matures, HIV/AIDS is becoming increasingly concentrated in poor
populations with less educated people more likely to contract the disease and
the poor being less likely to be able to pay for treatment. Moreover, a
possibility that measures intended to help reduce poverty may be unsuccessful
because they increase the vulnerability of the beneficiary population to AIDS.
Migration and the breakdown of social structures are factors in creating the
conditions by which HIV spreads.

This paper underlines the importance of health to a country's
development and its vital role in improving the lives of the poor. It argues
that AIDS should be treated as one of many health problems rather than in
isolation, and that there should be broad action at all levels of societies to
ensure that general health standards are improved. It considers AIDS within
health, and health withindevelopment, and makes broad recommendations
for the need for; peace, stability and good governance; data-driven
decision-making; broad partnerships; health sector reform; private sector
involvement; special consideration of the role of women; and increased
participation and involvement of poor people.

Health, Wealth, AIDS and Poverty [PDF 337KB]

Available: Electronic version only

This report was commissioned by AusAID. The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed in the report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of AusAID or the Australian Government.

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