Imagine a significantly vast region of the world where roughly a fourth of the population is living on two dollars a day. The idea of an annual medical checkup becomes an almost unheard of luxury. Individual health is pushed back to a secondary priority when people are uncertain of where their next meal is coming from. The third world countries of Latin America face this unarguably horrific state. Underdeveloped, overpopulated, impoverished, politically unstable - these are all defining terms of what constitutes a third world nation.
Poverty is not the only damaging cause that riddles these territories with disease and paralyzes their medical management. Influences such as strict religious beliefs, social stigmas, lack of education, cultural practices, dramatic price increases on pharmaceutical drugs, environmental effects (the list can go on and on), have not only caused but also have restricted access to treatments of various afflictions.
In recent years, there has been a rising number of AIDS diagnoses. According to a 2007 statistical review, Latin America has about 2 million people living with the AIDS virus; double the number of people living with the ailment in the United States. The AIDS epidemic in Brazil and Belize is now rivaling that of Africa’s, with an outlandish number of citizens being exposed. Outbreaks such as this are happening all over the area. Eradication efforts are difficult to come by when there is little money or no stable organization within the government to provide aid. There are also social and religious stigmas, such as those involving homosexuality and sexual promiscuity, associated with AIDS that inhibit those victims to seek help.
Whether it is money or culture, there seems to be a never-ending cycle of complications. Globally health care is a growing concern, especially for those who cannot afford it. Even in America the debate regarding health reform goes back and forth with hardly a resolution in sight. But before any type of reform can happen, individuals need to understand what is going on in order to effectively make a difference in this part of the world.
Like you said, awareness is key. The more exposure to this issue the better. Slow process but in this country (America) heightened awareness has proven effective. It's a very touchy subject as to why and how these AIDS-ridden nations are educationally-oppressed. Perhaps a coup or guerilla AIDS awareness groups need to be unleashed on them. At the risk of sounding totally ignorant and self-centered; If not for them but for us and our children's health and future.
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