Confronting AIDS: Public Priorities in a Global Epidemic

by World Bank, Oxford University Press USA

Overview

This revised and updated edition of the pathbreaking report on the global AIDS epidemic outlines the strategic role that government must play in slowing the spread of HIV and mitigating the impact of AIDS. Drawing on the knowledge accumulated in the 17 years since the virus that causes AIDS was first identified, the report highlights policies that are most likely to be effective in managing the epidemic. These include early actions to minimize the spread of the virus, aiming preventive interventions at high risk groups, and evaluating measures that would assist households affected by AIDS according to the same standards applied to other health issues. This revised edition will a valuable resource for public health, policymakers, researchers, and anyone with an interest in this devastating global health crisis.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195215915
Publisher:	World Bank Publications
Publication date:	10/01/1999
Series:	Policy Research Reports
Edition description:	Revised edition.
Pages:	392
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

Editorial Reviews

This book is written to establish the basis for governmental policy priorities and actions, based on the analysis of research data and/or an objective review of the historical evolution of the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. The intent is to present information that supports a set of policy directives that should be taken by governments to respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This objective is important as the world moves into the second decade of the epidemic. The lessons learned from the first ten years of the disease are cited, highlighting best practices and the most effective policies evolving from this experience. This should help policymakers avoid making the same, costly mistakes in the future. This book is targeted to a sophisticated audience of policymakers, public health experts, and ""developmental specialists"" who are in a position to shape government's response to the epidemic. It is clear to me that the audience must possess a certain knowledge base related to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. A key segment of policymakers -- legislators -- will probably require interpretation of the content by knowledgeable experts in order to glean the messages. First, the nature of the epidemic and its challenges to which only government can mount an effective response are described from a global perspective. Following a review of the lessons learned over the term of the epidemic, a strategic policy agenda is set out. The author argues effectively that the focus of governmental action should be prevention of negative impacts on individuals and families; economic impacts; and societal impacts, such as orphanages and constrained access to healthcare. A parallel is drawn between the quality of lifein general, as indexed by the degree of poverty, and the vulnerability of a country or community to HIV/AIDS and its consequences. The author makes a case for collaboration across sectors. The challenge to governments is to intervene early where the epidemic has not gained an entrenched foothold, as well as to act aggressively to mitigate further spread of the disease and destruction where the disease is already rampant. The best feature of the book is the format, which includes a beginning summary, the chapters, and an ending summary. The most challenging aspect of the book is the level of concentration required to read it, the difficulty in reading the fine print in the graphics, and the lack of pictures. This book is extremely well done in terms of the research base and citations presented. It is well-suited for its intended audience. I have been involved in setting HIV/AIDS policy over many years, and I learned a lot from reading this book. I would recommend it for those who want to have a firm, scientific, and economic basis for policy formation.

Frances J. Dunston