AIDS in Africa

For years, there has been debate about AIDS in Africa. This is a highly politicized discussion, obviously. In the 90's, conservative commentators like Rush Limbaugh (I heard him say this at some point, circa 1994) were claiming that Africa had no AIDS crisis, it's just that doctors in Africa knew that AIDS brought in healthcare money, so everything from flu to cancer was diagnosed as AIDS.

Those dastardly Africans! Lying at every turn just to soak up some hard-earned western money!

Well, then the news broke that cemeteries in Africa were filling up. That a generation of children was being orphaned. That the continent was facing hugely destabalizing depopulation, and the conservatives suddenly shut up.

Oh wait, no they didn't. The line became: Those dastardly Africans! They can't control their impulses! Sexually promiscuous, backwards people, how sad! What a moral lesson for us good rich white Americans.

This article is completely fascinating. It is certain to open that discussion again. And it's probably a discussion that needs to be had, in light of the data presented. Does Africa have an AIDS crisis? Yes, the article says, but it isn't as bad as it's being sold as.

For those who care that human beings are dying and aren't just on the lookout for pickpockets or morality tales for us good rich white people, this is great news. If correct, it means that the money we're applying to AIDS in Africa may have vastly more benefit than expected. It means that prevention programs might be the single biggest weapon in the fight right now, and not just five years ago. It means there may still be time. Enjoy.