Global AIDS Response FAils to Meet Needs of Children

Shannon Bourret
February 11, 2009
4:29 PM


The article I read was about the how the global response to HIV/AIDS has not met the needs of millions of children and their families. Therefore, there is a need for new ideas as to how to address AIDS/HIV, poverty, food insecurity, and social inequity. The report, Home Truths: Facing the Facts on Children, Aids, and Poverty, is a global study but it mainly focuses on sub-Saharan Africa that are facing severe AIDS epidemic. The report reveals that the best care for the children is their families, but they receive very little, if any, financial support from the government. The report also says that poverty is hindering the advancement of AIDS services. Women and children have the highest HIV rates, yet nothing is being done to find out why. It was reported that over 90 percent of the more than two million children living with HIV are infected before or during birth. The recommendations include greater financial support for children and their families; a greater focus on children's needs, as opposed to their HIV status; ensuring the physical safety of girls and women in public; and addressing behavior and attitudes that encourage sexual abuse.

I am so pleased to see that the necessary steps are being taken to get this epidemic under control. I understand that this is a serious problem but some of the statistics were very shocking to me. I was surprised to learn that that over 90 percent of the more than two million children living with HIV are infected before or during birth. It makes sense to me now, but at first, that piece on information was shocking. Now, I would have like to see more information on AIDS and HIV in the United States! I think some of the ideas to help the situation are pretty interesting. I would have never thought to address message that is being sent out about sexual abuse. But, now that I think about it, it makes total sense and it is a serious problem that needs to be addressed.


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