Millennium Development Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS and other diseases
Goal: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
Target 6.A: Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS
Target 6.B: Achieve, by 2010, universal access to treatment for HIV/AIDS for all those who need it
Target 6.C: Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the incidence of malaria and other major diseases
6.1 HIV prevalence among population aged 15-24 years
6.2 Condom use at last high-risk sex
6.3 Proportion of population aged 15-24 years with comprehensive correct knowledge of HIV/AIDS
6.4 Ratio of school attendance of orphans to school attendance of non-orphans aged 10-14 years
6.5 Proportion of population with advanced HIV infection with access to antiretroviral drugs
6.6 Incidence and death rates associated with malaria
6.7 Proportion of children under 5 sleeping under insecticide-treated bednets
6.8 Proportion of children under 5 with fever who are treated with appropriate anti-malarial drugs
6.9 Incidence, prevalence and death rates associated with tuberculosis
6.10 Proportion of tuberculosis cases detected and cured under directly observed treatment short course
Target 6.A: Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS
Target 6.B: Achieve, by 2010, universal access to treatment for HIV/AIDS for all those who need it
Target 6.C: Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the incidence of malaria and other major diseases
6.1 HIV prevalence among population aged 15-24 years
6.2 Condom use at last high-risk sex
6.3 Proportion of population aged 15-24 years with comprehensive correct knowledge of HIV/AIDS
6.4 Ratio of school attendance of orphans to school attendance of non-orphans aged 10-14 years
6.5 Proportion of population with advanced HIV infection with access to antiretroviral drugs
6.6 Incidence and death rates associated with malaria
6.7 Proportion of children under 5 sleeping under insecticide-treated bednets
6.8 Proportion of children under 5 with fever who are treated with appropriate anti-malarial drugs
6.9 Incidence, prevalence and death rates associated with tuberculosis
6.10 Proportion of tuberculosis cases detected and cured under directly observed treatment short course
Megan Starry, Jeff Hessburg, Ethan Nauman, Nick Berg
Combatting HIV/AIDs and other diseases is often times a very complex and multifaceted issue. As we’ve seen with other goals there are many factors that go into succeeding each MDG and MDG 6 is no different.
In Latin America and the Caribbean Catholicism plays a major role in a majority of people’s lives. Religion is often intertwined very deeply in people’s lives and in this region this is no different. A major area of concern from a Public Health standpoint is the lack of contraceptives used by members of the Catholic church, especially in areas where there are higher transmitted disease rates. Although in Latin America and the Caribbean disease rates are not as high as they are in other regions this is still a significant factor. If people are refusing to use contraceptives such as condoms they are putting themselves at a much more significant chance of contracting diseases such as HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. This can be connected back to many other of the MDGs as education is very important in this case and potential children are put at risk even before being born.
Reducing disease rates should be a goal for obvious reasons but there are also some reasons not as apparent. If a child is plagued with disease such as malaria their main focus is to get better and fight the disease when in an ideal situation they should be focused on going to school and getting an education in hopes to better themselves and their future families. This shows yet again shows how connected the MDGs are. Weeks ago we discussed how important education and growing attendance rates at school. It is one thing for a student to not attend school because they find it uninteresting but something to focus on is children not being able to attend school because their health and wellbeing simply doesn’t allow it.
Fortunately, this region is in a much better position for treating diseases such as tuberculosis yet there is still room for progress to be made. Currently 74% of tuberculosis cases are being treated successfully so the region has not quite achieved 85%. Fortunately tuberculosis is treatable and one can be cured. Unfortunately, treatment is expensive and most cases are occurring in poor, urban areas. The fact tuberculosis can be cured is great but as urbanization continues, more are being exposed to the disease. Rather than treating the disease on a case by case basis, a major area of focus needs to be getting people out of malnourished poor areas and uplifting communities through education, sanitation practices and widespread efforts. Tuberculosis has to be fought through environmental, social and economic movements.
The millennium development goals are widely connected and in many ways if one fails it makes it that much harder to succeed in the other goals. A recurring theme spreading across many of the goals is the need for awareness, education and resources. Educating people puts them at much better odds to fight issues and uplift themselves and those close to them out of bad situations and improve their lives. Education is also crucial because it informs people how to live healthier, potentially slow down and prevent the spread of disease growth and it empowers those who were kept in the dark before.
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| This chart represents the prevention of disease progression within the Latin American and Caribbean region. This region has a low number of known HIV/AIDS cases and tuberculosis related mortality rates within its population.
Not only is malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis diseases life-threatening to the Latin American and Caribbean regions, but an ever-growing disease called “the Zika virus” has made its way to the top of the charts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Zika virus disease is “a disease caused by Zika virus that is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes)”. Not to mention, it also possesses the possibility of causing birth malformations and neurological syndromes. The disease causes great threat for Latin America it mainly found in is an increase in potential international spread given the wide, geographical range of the mosquito vector and there is not yet a specific treatment or vaccination found for the Zika virus; but, researchers have added the Zika virus vaccine right up next to creating HIV and AIDS vaccinations.
For more information, watch this video about the Zika virus disease.
Interventions
The Elton John Aids Foundation (EJAF) is the world’s largest HIV grant makers. Founded in 1992 by Sir Elton John, they have raised more than 349 million dollars for the treatment and prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. Half of their effort is focused on US and the Caribbean. The way this organization works is by funding hundreds of grants to other organizations each year, and fund new ideas, and ways of working with this issue. The actively advocate their cause and make a point to educate and inform people about HIV and AIDS and the importance of preventing it. The grants EJAF gives are targeted to generate results and success in: innovative work for gay men’s health, push for better health services for youth, improve overall care and testing of HIV communities in the US, ensure that people who are HIV positive get the treatment they need, and are able to stay on that HIV treatment.
The Global Fund is waging a three pronged attack on the world’s deadliest diseases: HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. Since the beginning in 2002, The Global Fund has become the main supporter of programs that are looking for a cure, giving $22.9 billion to over 1,000 different efforts in 151 countries. The same holds true with Latin America and the Caribbean's effort with The Global Fund. This fund will allocate $600 million to LA&C during the 2014-2016 period, this exceeds the amount the region received over the last four years.
Case Study: Communities Addressing Tuberculosis
Many communities in Latin America and other regions are turning towards community based treatment plans with the help of local health departments and NGOs. In Montero, Bolivia there is one community focused on identifying tuberculosis, treating it and stopping it from spreading. Members of the community who are selected or volunteer are responsible for overseeing treatment of patients sick and are given incentives for doing so. By making this a community focus, members of the community are gaining a medical knowledge set and also getting help for their own families while getting a chance to help fellow community members. This community focus was formed after health agencies noticed patients not adhering to TB treatments, this program adds a level of accountability and overall makes treatment of the disease more effective.
Question: Instead of treating a tuberculosis, what is a major area of focus that can rapidly reduce tuberculosis in an area?
References
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