The Globalization of Disease
In general, diseases can be grouped into two types, infectious diseases (HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis,
malaria and even diarrhea) and lifestyle diseases (heart attacks, cancer, obesity, and diabetes).
Infectious Disease: HIV/AIDS
There is great global and geographic inequity of the human immunodeficiency virus and
acquired immune deficiency syndrome. In Swaziland for example, 1 in 3 adults are infected,
helping to reduce the life expectancy to less than 34 years. In Canada, .3% of the population is
infected (1 in 334). It is estimated that about 33 million people world-wide are infected and so
far over 25 million people have died from the disease.
Brief History of AIDS
-It is believed to have spread from chimpanzees to people in Cameroon as far back as the late
1950’s.
-The HIV/AIDS epidemic “officially” began in 1981 when an outbreak in Los Angeles occurred.
-The disease WAS most identified with homosexual men and intravenous drug users but affects
ALL groups of society today.
-HIV/AIDS is a slow pandemic (a disease that affects a large portion of the population at any
one given time) in that it has been spreading for over 60 years.
-Infected people can live for many years and are capable of infecting others through sexual
activity, bearing of children and the mixing of bodily fluids.
HIV/AIDS in Africa
-The disease affects the world’s poor the most!
-Life expectancies are declining by decades in some parts of Africa.
-Many children are infected by birth, for example over 70 000 babies per year in S. Africa are
infected.
-Millions of children are orphaned each year when their parents die of AIDS.
-The pandemic is putting major stress on an often inadequate African healthcare system.
-Economic and social structures are deteriorating as many skilled workers are dying. In 1 year
for example, 1300 Zambian teachers died of the disease.
Solving the problem in Africa
-Must end the silence, stigma, discrimination and denial associated with the disease.
-“ABC” approach – Abstain (active at 13-15), Be faithful, “Condomize”
-Empower women in a culture that often permits them to be exploited sexually.
-Treat HIV infected pregnant women with medications to prevent transmission of the disease.
-Implement effective testing and treatment programs.
-Find better ways to support AIDS orphans and their caregivers and NGOs that look after them.
Steps Needed in Developed Countries
-HIV/AIDS is incurable but most people in wealthy nations can live for decades with the disease
due to the use of drugs called anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs). ARVs however can cost more
than $10 000 per year per patient. Many richer governments will pay this fee or subsidize it
drastically.
-In poorer parts of the world, such fees are impossible to pay. Pharmaceutical companies have
spent hundreds of millions on research and drug development. More money must be invested in
finding a vaccine as opposed to more ARVs (though these are important too).
-Wealthy countries must be willing to fund the fight against the disease.
Where are we now?
-It is believed that the HIV/AIDS pandemic has peaked in sub-Saharan Africa and is starting to
decline.
-The disease appears to be under relative control in most developed nations.
-However, problematic infection rates are rising in other parts of the world (Asia, E. Europe). It
will be important to see how these regions can work with the issue and what lessons they have
learned from other parts of the world.
Lifestyle Diseases: Obesity
-It is simple to focus on infectious diseases but it is important to focus on lifestyle disease as
well, especially because these are much more preventable!
-In wealthier nations (old-core) the obesity disease is common and it is becoming quite common
in new-core and near core countries as well.
-The Body-Mass Index (BMI) calculates your weight as compared to your height to determine
health.
-Approximately 1 billion adults worldwide are overweight including about 300 million adults
who are severely obese. More than 150 million children are obese!
Causes of the Disease
-Clearly diet is an issue, people are eating too much and are eating unhealthy foods.
-Exercise, or the lack thereof is the other major issue. Many people now live rather sedentary
lives.
-Growing prosperity equals an increase in obesity (Brazil, China, and India).
Solutions
-REGULAR exercise at all ages
-diets with lower amounts of saturated fats and sugar
-diets that contain more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and vegetable oils.