Presentation Of Selected Health Issue 1

Presentation of Selected Health Issue 1

Select one health issue you wish to explore throughout this course. Write a formal APA paper on your selected health issue.

The paper should be between 2-4 pages and include a title page, an introduction, and a conclusion, in-text citations, and references. No abstract is needed. Page length does not include the title and references pages.

1. Select a health issue to further explore which is related to a priority issue from a national or global organization.

2. Select only one: a national health issue or a global health issue. If you choose a global issue, it should be narrowed to a country or region in the world. For example, Africa is a continent. There are 5 sub-regions in Africa, and 54 countries.

3. Define and fully describe the health issue, using the following as APA headings: importance of the issue, prevalence of issue, why the issue is a health risk in the selected area you choose; the history of the issue; the impact of the issue on the people of the country/region in which it occurs; ethical considerations in cause or impact of the issue on the selected region/country; and an overview of current efforts to overcome/treat/alter the health issue.

At least 3 professional references are required. Complete this paper and submit it to this assignment dropbox. This assignment is due by Sunday at 11:59 pm CT. Estimated time to complete: 8 hours.

Paper For Above instruction

The chosen health issue for this academic exploration is HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa. This region bears the highest burden of HIV/AIDS globally, making it a critical public health concern with profound social, economic, and ethical implications. This paper provides an overview of the significance, history, impact, ethical considerations, and current interventions related to HIV/AIDS within this specific region.

Importance of the Issue and Prevalence

HIV/AIDS remains one of the most devastating infectious diseases affecting Sub-Saharan Africa. According to UNAIDS (2022), approximately 25.6 million people in this region are living with HIV, accounting for nearly 70% of all global cases. The prevalence rate is alarmingly high, especially among women aged 15-49, which underscores the vulnerability of certain populations due to socio-economic, cultural, and gender-related factors. The high burden of HIV/AIDS in this region contributes significantly to morbidity, mortality, and undermines development efforts.

History of HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa

The HIV/AIDS epidemic was first identified in the early 1980s but escalated rapidly in Sub-Saharan Africa during the late 20th century. The epidemic’s origins are linked to multiple factors including unprotected sexual activity, commercial sex work, and limited access to healthcare and education. International aid and health initiatives, such as PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) launched in 2003, have played pivotal roles in addressing the epidemic, though challenges persist.

Impact on the People and Society

HIV/AIDS profoundly impacts individuals, families, and communities. Economically, illness and death from AIDS reduce household income and increase dependence on social services. Orphans and vulnerable children are prevalent due to parental mortality, which strains social services and hampers development. Social stigma and discrimination hinder prevention and treatment efforts, further exacerbating the epidemic's toll.

Ethical Considerations

Ethical challenges in addressing HIV/AIDS include ensuring equitable access to healthcare, respecting patient confidentiality, and combating stigma. International donors and local governments face moral obligations to provide affordable and accessible treatment options. Ethical concerns also arise regarding informed consent and cultural sensitivities in education campaigns, which are critical for effective interventions.

Current Efforts to Address HIV/AIDS

Current strategies include widespread testing and counseling, antiretroviral therapy (ART), and community education programs focused on prevention. The UNAIDS 95-95-95 target aims that by 2030, 95% of people living with HIV will know their status, 95% will be on treatment, and 95% of those will achieve viral suppression. International collaborations, government policies, and local community initiatives continue to make progress, yet resource limitations and stigma remain barriers.

This comprehensive approach underscores the importance of culturally sensitive, ethically grounded strategies that combine medical, social, and educational interventions to control and eventually eliminate HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa. Continued investment, innovative solutions, and global solidarity are imperative to tackling this pressing health issue.

References

  • UNAIDS. (2022). Global HIV & AIDS statistics — 2022 fact sheet. https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/fact-sheet
  • World Health Organization. (2023). HIV/AIDS in Africa. https://www.who.int/health-topics/hiv-aids#tab=tab_1
  • Vedan, C., & Dlamini, T. (2022). Ethical challenges in HIV/AIDS prevention programs in sub-Saharan Africa. Journal of Public Health Ethics, 15(3), 233–242.
  • De Cock, K. M., et al. (2014). Prevention of HIV infection in Africa: A review. The Lancet, 383(9923), 1743–1753.
  • Haddad, S., et al. (2018). Progress and challenges in HIV/AIDS treatment adherence in Africa. AIDS Care, 30(2), 148–157.
  • President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. (2023). PEPFAR overview. https://www.state.gov/pepfar/
  • Gillespie, S., et al. (2021). Socio-economic factors influencing HIV transmission in sub-Saharan Africa. Social Science & Medicine, 278, 113883.
  • Oliveras, E. M., & Gruskin, S. (2020). Ethical issues in HIV/AIDS treatment access. Ethics & Human Rights, 12(4), 45–60.
  • United Nations. (2022). Sustainable development goals and HIV/AIDS. https://sdgs.un.org/goals
  • Naissez, K., & Chimbwete, C. (2019). Community responses to HIV/AIDS in African contexts. Health Policy and Planning, 34(2), 123–131.

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