What Is Affected By AIDS?

       AIDS is a very common disease in Africa. In fact, two thirds of all people that have HIV/AIDS are African citizens. This is a stunning statistic, because Africa only contains about 12% of the world's population. AIDS not only causes the death of many Africans, but affects the economy, households of many people, and the development of school systems and workplaces. Households are one of the things most affected by AIDS. As you have read about on the first page of this blog, more and more African children are becoming AIDS/HIV orphans, or are getting AIDS through the blood of their parents. This leaves children to fend for themselves, and the cycle goes on and on as these kids inevitably become infected and have their own children that will suffer the same fate as they did. Until something is done, and the AIDS epidemic is brought to an end, this is the way it will be.

       The economy is also unable to thrive under the strain of this terrible epidemic. As the life expectancy of adults in Africa is only about 50 years old, there are no workers. Because the economy is not growing, there is no government money to help the AIDS victims. Therefore, the epidemic will continue. Same deal with the school systems. As children are at home caring for their younger siblings and ailing parents, they are unable to go to school and be educated. Because of this, these kids won't learn the skills to break the cycle of poverty and illness. Eventually, there will be no more health care workers. See how this all feeds on itself? In my mind, there is only one solution: Stronger countries need to help Africa. If they don't, this continent will only be sucked deeper and deeper into a big hole of sickness, death, and no economic stability.