Does the World Have a Future without HIV/AIDS?

Countdown to an AIDS-Free Generation from EGPAF on Vimeo.

 The above link is a video that I recently watched on The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. For me, this video was pretty inspirational and I recommend viewing it for yourself. In short, the history the video focuses on is the transmission on the AIDS virus from mother to child.

Awareness of this issue was really brought to life by  Elizabeth Glaser herself. During childbirth she was transfused with four pints of blood due to hemorrhaging. Four years later, after she had given birth to a second child, Elizabeth and her children began undergoing testing due to their declining health. All three of them were HIV positive. Elizabeth had become infected during her blood transfusion four years ago. She had passed on the virus to her daughter through breast milk, and to her son in utero. Needless to say this was a tragic accident, however there was not much awareness or medical intervention available to children. Without going into to much detail, efforts made by Elizabeth rose awareness of the lack of intervention.

Many years later, the spread of AIDS by transmission of mother to child is almost non-existent. Proper medical treatment and medicine prescribed to the mother during pregnancy pretty much eliminate the chance of transmitting the virus. This is quite an accomplishment for America. However, access to these kinds of medical interventions are far and few between in under developed countries. Though funding from the United States and other countries has helped, it does not seem to be enough.

With the American economy suffering, congress is looking to make cuts wherever they can afford. One asks if PEPFAR(President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) will face cuts? Since the United States is the largest funder towards the fight against AIDS, I believe this could have some negative affects.

We need to start in preventing the spread of the disease. If we can stop the transmission than perhaps one day we can live in a world without this disease.

http://www.ipsnews.net/2012/11/major-new-u-s-aids-plan-disallows-funding-for-family-planning/