ACW Statement 2: Staying alive with HIV
HIV gradually subdues the immune system of people living with the virus so that opportunistic infections (OIs) such as candidiasis, meningitis and tuberculosis can then exploit the body’s weakened defences. People living in poorer parts of the world often have no access to clean water and sanitation, have bad nutrition and already weak health status, and are constantly challenged by a variety of infectious diseases. These factors place them at greater risk of HIV-associated OIs and are believed to significantly shorten the interval between initial HIV infection and the onset of AIDS-related conditions. As a result, HIV/AIDS is often called the ‘quintessential disease of poverty’.
But AIDS-related conditions can be prevented and treated with established forms of care, support and treatment, including readily available non-ARV medicines. AIDS deaths can be postponed without ARVs.
HIV/AIDS care is provided on a daily basis by medical services, families and communities throughout the world. In many of the countries hardest hit by the epidemic the demand for these care services has overwhelmed already fragile health and social systems. Nowhere in the world has this demand stabilized yet, and as more PWHAs fall ill, it can only increase. Without a health system to rely on, PWHAs in many countries have no option but to assume increasing responsibility for their own health.
To do so, people living with HIV need a variety of self-management abilities to monitor and control symptoms, and to minimize complications or delay their onset entirely. Health literacy is the ability to obtain, read, understand and act upon health information. It largely determines whether a person actively seeks health care when they need it and whether they and their families can make informed treatment decisions.
Meaningful advice and information is essential for people to change health-related behaviours, and assisting with self-management choices and adherence to available therapies. According to the International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations and other groups, however, there are many people who do not have sufficient health literacy to actively engage in their own health care in this way.
But AIDS-related conditions can be prevented and treated with established forms of care, support and treatment, including readily available non-ARV medicines. AIDS deaths can be postponed without ARVs.
HIV/AIDS care is provided on a daily basis by medical services, families and communities throughout the world. In many of the countries hardest hit by the epidemic the demand for these care services has overwhelmed already fragile health and social systems. Nowhere in the world has this demand stabilized yet, and as more PWHAs fall ill, it can only increase. Without a health system to rely on, PWHAs in many countries have no option but to assume increasing responsibility for their own health.
To do so, people living with HIV need a variety of self-management abilities to monitor and control symptoms, and to minimize complications or delay their onset entirely. Health literacy is the ability to obtain, read, understand and act upon health information. It largely determines whether a person actively seeks health care when they need it and whether they and their families can make informed treatment decisions.
Meaningful advice and information is essential for people to change health-related behaviours, and assisting with self-management choices and adherence to available therapies. According to the International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations and other groups, however, there are many people who do not have sufficient health literacy to actively engage in their own health care in this way.
posted by AIDS-Care-Watch at 2:55 pm
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