AIDS

This week we have discussed AIDS in Africa.  I have watched the videos relating to AIDS and read the articles.  One thing that jumped out at me was how much prevention would help reduce the large number of people infected with HIV each year.  While there is a plethora of information about AIDS, and it is an understood topic in the United States, I think there is still a lot of education about AIDS occurring in Africa.  I think with more awareness, prevention measures, and continued supply of resources that the number of people infected with HIV each year will decrease. 


One promising article I found was from the TIME website.  I like TIME because of the credible articles and photography.  The pictures that accompany the AIDS articles are very graphic and can be disturbing.  My first instinct was how they followed the trend of other pictures we discussed stereotypes of Africa, sick dying people.  However, I think AIDS is a serious issue and the pictures are very real.  


The article I found was entitled Daily Pill Shows Promise in HIV Prevention.  Two studies have showed promising results of HIV prevention.  In one study consisted of men and women from Botswana.  Half of the people were given a placebo and the other half were given the real pill. Looking at the number of people that became infected with HIV later it was determined the pill reduced the chance of infection by about 78%.  The other case showed similar success results in prevention and therefore, the placebo was no longer given.  It was determined to be unethical to withhold medicine that proved helpful.  While these studies along with others indicated very a high prevention rate, there have been studies that have showed differing results.  There are more studies going on to determine why there are differing results.  I think that even though some studies show the pill was not helpful in preventing HIV, we are well on the way to finding a pill that prevents HIV infection.  I think medicine that can be offered to help prevent HIV infection would be a huge success.  

South Sudan

Awhile back I made a post about Sudan and the conflicts that were going on there.  I thought it would be good to follow up on the issue. After many years of conflict between the north and south, and according to BBC, 1.5 million people died, the conflicts may have come to an end.  I think this great news for South Sudan.  I think that the citizens are very excited right now and will anxious to see their country succeed.  I hope that this puts an end to the conflicts and saves future lives.

 On July 9th, South Sudan became is own country. There was an independence ceremony that took place at a mausoleum of a man who played a key role in ending conflicts. The national flag of Sudan was lowered and the new flag was raised to the cheers of the crowd. The president Kiir decided to not to hand of the national flag and instead say it will be placed in a museum.  I think this was a very wise choice the presidents part.  I think it was a respectful decision not to hand over the flag where it would most likely to be destroyed.  I hope that the north and south begin to make amends and learn to respect each other as individual countries.

Here is a link to the article from the BBC

Gapminder

This week we are discussing different Economic situations in Africa.  It was suggested that we look at Gapminder.  I found this site to be very interesting.  It charts life expectancy against the income per person.  Different areas of the globe are represented by different colors.  You can track the trend of one country over time.  There are definite trends that can be observed.  The depression in the 1920's affect many countries.  A sharp decrease in income per person is seen.  It then starts to rise again in the 1930's.  

There is an increase in the life expectancy in the 1940's but then there is a sharp decrease in the 1990's.  It doesn't start to increase again until the later 2000's.  I would predict this is due to the fact of the aids epidemic.  This trend can be observed in many African countries.  One in particular that is easy to track is Zimbabwe.  The trail function allows you to mark one country, or how many ever you like and specifically watch the trend as the dots connect as the years progress.  The Age expectancy starts to rise along with income per person.  Then the age expectancy becomes as high as about 62 in 1998 but then rapidly start to drop.  It begins to rise again around 2000 and reaches 45 by 2009.

Another interesting trend I found was how similar all the countries in Africa was.  Many of the countries are on the lower end of age expectancy and income.  While many other countries are increasing in age expectancy and income at the turn of the century (1900) little movement is observed in the African countries.  After the 1950's growth is evident.  If you use the trail feature the effect of aids is also seen.  The age expectancy decreases.

Here is a link the website.