Blog #1 - And So It Begins...

When you think of HIV and AIDS as a disease that is literally devastating mankind, unable to be cured or even controlled, it makes me realize that I am pretty selfish.  The only thoughts that I have about being in this class is that it is going to be way more difficult than it should be.  I was hoping for an easy class that was going to boost my GPA, but I now realize that this is going to require diligent work.  However, by the end of the class I hope to have a new respect for HIV/AIDS.  I want to be constantly aware of what it is doing to millions of people, and be actively doing things that contribute to the battle against it.  I no longer want to be one of the people that are indifferent because it does not directly affect them.  I want to always remember that there is a disease in the world that is constantly destroying families, and that any amount from help is worthwhile.   Ultimately, I just want to get to the point where the constant need in the world, whether it is HIV/AIDS or  poverty, will disturb me to the point that I can look past my wants and needs and realize that there is a bigger picture and that I can do something about it.  I am intrigued by the challenge and hope that by the end of the class I will not doubt that the time I invested was well worth the knowledge I gained.

Did you know?

For my "Did You Know" section I decided to research the effects of HIV/AIDS on individuals and families in developing countries.  I chose this because I have an interest in eventually going to developing countries to conduct medical missions, and I know that HIV/AIDS is definitely something that I will run into and have to deal with.  

http://www.compassion.com/aids_orphan/ 


This week I am going to look specifically at the country of Haiti, and how HIV/AIDS are affecting the citizens in that nation.  It is estimated that 120,000 people in Haiti are living with HIV/AIDS, and an overall adult (15-49) prevalence of 1.9%, as of 2009(Caribbean HIV/AIDS statistics, 2001).  In 2009, approximately 7,100 people were killed by AIDS(Caribbean HIV/AIDS statistics, 2001).  The Caribbean has the second highest prevalence rates among adults, second only to Sub-Saharan Africa(Caribbean HIV/AIDS statistics, 2001).  Antiretroviral drugs are now being administered but only reach about 43% of adults that are in need(Caribbean HIV/AIDS statistics, 2001).  


Bibliography: 

Web: Caribbean HIV/AIDS statistics. (2001). HIV and AIDS Statistics. Retrieved Janruary 19, 2011, from http://www.avert.org/caribbean.htm