Today is World AIDS Day. Even though we routinely report HIV- and AIDS-related issues, we're going to devote much of today's content to the pandemic and sexuality. Previous articles are filed under Health.

South Africa should consider an "AIDS tax" as new data show the pandemic hits a grim plateau in the world's most affected country. The republic's second national HIV/AIDS study confirms approximately 11 percent of its 45 million citizens are infected with HIV, about the same as three years ago. A separate business survey reveals HIV is affecting corporate profits. Almost half of the employed South Africans interviewed in the survey said they would be willing to pay a tax to fight AIDS, and urged the government to consider the proposition.

Ignorance stalks the nation most ravaged by HIV. Ten years into the pandemic, sixty-six percent of South Africans surveyed did not believe they were at risk of infection—including 51 percent who later seroconveted.

Comments

[BRIAN]

Ahhh, it's that time of year boys and girls. World AIDS' Day. Lest not we forget those who have died, nor become complacent in this era of great drugs (and greater profits) that keep HIV at bay.

Noah's Arc was really good, and touching, about the HIV issue.

P.S. Staying on this topic, but taking a little diversion: Civil rights leaders (and our always faithful New York City Councilpeople) would like Dec. 1 to become Rosa Parks Day in honor of the late pioneer's 'Thou Won't Get Up' movement 50 years ago.

Today in New York, the MTA's legion of bus drivers plan on putting aside their strike rhetoric long enough to honor Ms. Parks.

While I admit the day of reflection isn't a bad idea, I personally have a problem with it being on a day that the _world_ stops to take note of the leading cause of death in the world today.

Any opinions? Rod? My fellow peanut gallery members? :)

[Mark]

Mrs. Parks' adopted home state of Michigan honored her back in 1997 with a day around her birthday of February 4. See article at http://www.statenews.com/editionsspring98/020998/ca_day.html What's wrong with that day? As personally modest as she apparently was, she might not have wanted a day at all -- so would she have wanted her day to coincide with World AIDS Day? Worth thinking about, NYC. (Although, obviously, the intention of Dec 1 is to honor her on the day she "stood up" against the insanity by not standing up.)

[Brian]

I think the country should take Michigan's lead on this issue and make Feb. 4 a holiday.

Actually, I'd go one step further -- and this isn't to take anything away from Rosa Parks or the father of the civil rights movement (MLK) -- but I'd love to see a Civil Rights Day.

*shrug*

Where are you Hot Rod?! ;)

BTW. On another completely different note, did anyone go see the Noah's Arc screening at Krash on Wednesday night? Jensen Atwood was there, with his _fine_ ass self. *swoon*

[Rod]

Hey boys.
Mark and Brian have a good idea.
Trying to make a Civil Rights or Rosa Park Day on World AIDS Day would not feasible.
But a Civil Rights Day would be glorious. It's something that could be celebrated by everyone since we all have benefited.

[P. Alonzo Harris Jr.]

interesting idea...an "AIDS Tax", im not sure if this would be neccessary though...im not sure how strong these governments Health Ministries are, but if they are strong, you could simply divert already existing tax revenue toward fighting this plague...of course you could raise taxes as well...

[The LoveHater]

AIDS tax...if only this country would get so involved.

[Mark]

An AIDS tax in this country would lead straight to a taxpayer revolt with calls for quarantines. LOL <- not really

[Greg]

An AIDS tax is a great idea, but that would mean that everyone is entitled to health care, right?

[BRIAN]

Not sure if an AIDS Tax is worth its effort in the United States.

To me, World AIDS Day signifies different things.

In the United States, it's a day to remember that it's a pandemic that exists and should not be forgotten. We need to remember how to prevent getting HIV (yes, there's a different between HIV and AIDS, natch).

But the bigger picture on World AIDS Day requires that we look to our brethren in the developing countries.

It's not about prevention and rememberence there, it's about survival.

In the U.S, there are a number of strong programs out there for HIV-positive people. Programs such as Medicaid, ADAP, and regular health insurance from your employer, all pay for HIV drugs.

In the many countries of Africa, Caribbean, South and Central America, the infrastructure doesn't even exist to provide the people of these areas with the most basics of treatment: medication.

IMHO, the world needs to take a step back (a small step, before anyone starts yelling at me) from a cure and work towards keeping people alive with medication. U.S. companies need to open their patents up or drop their prices to provide medication to the people who need it in another areas.

Medicaid, ADAP, and insurance plans pay normal premiums for the medication. The drug companies should give developing nations two free bottles of medication for every one bottle that the U.S. government subsidies for its own people. (Since you know, in true U.S. government fashion, they're paying 300% above MSRP because Congress makes it illegal to negotiate prices).

I want to take a step back on my comment about focusing less on a cure and more about providing medication to all victims of HIV/AIDS.

Some conspiracy theorists (me included, at times) believe that the Drug Maker Mafia (Merck, BristolMeyersSquibb, Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline. Dupont) would never allow a cure to be made. Why? Because it would effectively cut a huge hole into their profits. (Yeah, imagine what would happen if Wall Street got word that the U.S. government and insurance companies were no longer shelling out $2000-10000 per month, per patient for medication. GAG)

So now that I've said that, the profits sword is a double-edged one. How effective is a drug if it can't keep the people who take it alive? Enter the cocktail of life (HIV medication). Just as Wall Street doesn't want the abundance of money to stop after developing a cure, you can be damn sure that the Drug Maker Mafia wants to keep every patient alive as long as possible to make as much money as possible (read: there is an idea that circulates in the medical community that the current slate of HIV medication is capable of keeping HIV-positive people alive and kicking as long as HIV-negative people).

Lala.