My First Thoughts Overall

This is my first AIDS course, let alone my first Africa course, so everything I read is new information. Being a senior, who has followed a fairly narrow path of Asian Studies (mostly Japanese and Chinese) and Business in STIA, that is a pretty different sensation. I have probably heard about the Japanese bubble economy and the Chinese One Child Policy about 50 times, but I know very little beyond the basics of AIDS and its presence and ramification in Africa.

Having said that, the readings assigned for class and some outside readings I have done so far have been eye openers in many ways.

Barnett and Whiteside Ch. 1
Reading "Disease and Denial" first made me realize what a 180-degree change this subject is from what I am having used to study. At one point I have focused my studies on Japanese economy and the aging population in Japan, which are essentially opposite problems in Africa. The age pyramids on pg. 21 are good illustrations. In African countries heavily impacted by prevalence of HIV infection, the age pyramid looks like a regular triangle due to shorter life expectancy. Developed countries have age pyramids of an opposite shape, with an increasing elderly population and a diminishing youth populaiton. However, both types of countries share one common problem: the decreasing number of adults and young adults, a.k.a. the working population. Developed countries are now facing difficulties sustaining their growth and developing countries have troubles developing their economies.

BBC News also had an article related to the "denial" Barnett and Whiteside discuss in Ch. 1. (Aids Experts Condemn SA Minister- 9/6/06). Pg.7 in the book, the authors list several examples of so-called "denials" of AIDS and HIV by experts or politicians, whether it is dismissal of the need to combat AIDS/HIV or flat out disbelief in the cause or preventative measures of HIV/AIDS. BBC's article points to the South African Health Minister, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, who is condemned for promoting beetroot and garlic to HIV/AIDS patients. instead of focusing on anti-retroviral drug treatments. If even the educated, literate, and politically powerful few cannot understand or choose not to acknowledge the scientific background of HIV/AIDS, how are we supposed to teach the masses about correct preventative measures and importance of their enforcement?