Project 4: Understanding the Implications of HIV

Course: Peoples and Plagues
Instructor: Dr. Gabriela Hamerlinck
Semester: Fall 2020

Introduction:

This course introduced us to various infectious diseases in context of geography, origin, and management response. My final report focused on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In 2019, 38 million people were living with HIV, and the death toll for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related illnesses was approximately 690,000. With the COVID-19 pandemic, HIV treatment has become more inaccessible than before, and certain models suggest that a disruption in HIV treatment due to COVID-19 could lead to an increase in deaths. Despite these statistics, however, great advances have been made in treating HIV and making this treatment accessible to the global population due to the cooperation of governments and private donors. The response to HIV is a reflection of a concept of global health which encompasses data and surveillance-based approaches, emphasis on at-risk populations, and goals of social justice and equity. Because of the HIV pandemic, science and research has become globalized, with international cooperation taking place and succeeding. Though much progress has been made to treat HIV, the challenges to combat the virus are still present. There is still a long way to go regarding the understanding of its clinical manifestations, risk factors, global burden, prevention, and social implications. 

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Body:

HIV is an extremely multi-faceted virus, as multiple factors must be addressed to effectively combat the disease. Though great strides have been made in international cooperation, decreasing stigma, and making treatment more accessible, there is still much more to be done in understanding the virus. By understanding its clinical manifestations, healthcare professionals can better target the virus and make treatment plans more specialized for patients. Risk factors are important to comprehend because certain marginalized populations are at a greater risk of contracting the virus, so policies and action plans should be put in place to protect them. Global burden and demographics of those afflicted by HIV illuminates where resources and efforts need to be concentrated, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Social implications of HIV and the health disparities associated with the virus allows for a better understanding of how and why the virus disproportionately affects low-SES communities and racial and sexual minorities. There also needs to be more efforts to educate the public about HIV, as stigma and misconceptions still permeate throughout society. If stigma around the virus is not eliminated, marginalized populations will not be able to receive the care they need and deserve. So long as stigma continues in healthcare, HIV will still continue to burden minority communities. 

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Conclusion/Implications:

Beyond the domestic scale, HIV still needs to be combatted on an international front. While great strides have been made to extend ART to populations in Africa, the continent is still experiencing difficulties with combating the virus. Similarly, marginalized communities in other regions are at higher risk of contracting HIV, such as Blacks and Latinos in the United States. Global trends of the virus highlight the urgent need for targeted prevention strategies that aim for better educational programs, accessibility and affordability to preventative equipment, and effective medications such as ART, PrEP, and PEP that could promote a normal life expectancy through a functioning immune system. Although medications for HIV do not cure the infection itself, they may prevent HIV-related illnesses often encountered as a result of a weakened immune system from the virus. The efficacy of preventative strategies and the concept of treatment as prevention may be the greatest hope currently to combat this modern pandemic. Without conclusive measures and successful international cooperation, HIV will continue to prevail, more specifically in high-risk subpopulations. Researchers should focus efforts on gaining a deeper understanding of HIV in order to combat its burden on public health and marginalized communities.