Washington Times Examines Effects of HIV/AIDS Epidemic on Caribbean Region
The Washington Times on Tuesday examined the effects the HIV/AIDS epidemic is having on the Caribbean region. Officials estimate that as many as 600,000 HIV-positive people live in the region, and the large number of affected people "threatens to overwhelm public health systems, sabotage economic growth and wreak untold social consequences," according to the Times. Although most Caribbean nations have stabilized or reduced their HIV prevalence, the rate remains high at about 2.5% of the population, the Times reports (Stier [1], Washington Times, 3/9). The complete article is available online.
AIDS Orphans
The Times on Tuesday also examined the growing number of children orphaned by AIDS-related deaths. According to a study by the International AIDS Trust to be released next month, it is estimated that there will be 25 million AIDS orphans by 2010. IAT plans to release the study to Congress on April 7. IAT President Sandra Thurman said, "We can't even begin to get our heads around the social and anthropological consequences of this, because we are just at the beginning of this epidemic" (Stier [2], Washington Times, 3/9). The complete article is available online.