Global Disparities in HIV/AIDS Treatment

Unlike most other diseases, HIV/AIDS affects a large number of people in developing countries. It has no vaccine to prevent it, although a preventative medication is available. It is treatable with lifetime medication. Most affected countries cannot produce any of these drugs. Many patients are stigmatized for their sexual practices. The global disparities for HIV/AIDS arise from these reasons. Africa is most affected by the disease. Yet, it cannot produce HIV/AIDS medication. Four decades after the identification of the underlying virus, there is no vaccine on the horizon. We explain a possible underlying economic reason for this paradox. The future for most recipients of medication for HIV/AIDS remains precarious for political reasons.