According to Wigley and Carr (2002), AIDS has been classified as the leading killer disease in the world currently. AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. This is a group of complications that arise from infection by the HIV virus. HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. As the name suggests, the human immunodeficiency virus leads to a reduced immunity level of the body which makes the body weak and an easy target of opportunistic diseases.
The greatest question the remains in our mind is where the disease came from. It is still not known where the disease came from although many theories have been put forward which tries to explain the possible origin of the disease. Perhaps it will be easy to find the cure for the disease the moment the origin is known. (Carr et al., 2002)
The disease has had a devastating effect on the life of human beings. Everybody is directly or indirectly affected by the disease. Currently, it is estimated that there are between 30.6 million to 36.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the world. The statistics of world infection show a rising trend in the rate of infection. These statistics also show that young people below the age of 25 years account for more than half of the new infection rates.
According to Alagiri (2002), the disease is said to have claimed the lives of more than 25 million people in the world since it was discovered in 1981. These deaths have come with accompanying repercussions with the devastating effect of leaving behind many orphans. It is estimated that there are more than 12 million orphans in Africa alone. (UNAIDS/WHO, 2007)
From these statistics, it is easy to deduce the effect of the disease of humankind. The disease has had diverse effects from the higher levels of human organization to the lowest level. Its effects have been felt at the national level to the family level. The families have been affected more than the nations. (Bollinger and Stover, 1999)
At the international level, more and more funds have been committed to the treatment of AIDS. This has led to the diversion of funds that could be used in other aspects of humankind development to help in campaigns fighting against AIDS. More internal funds have been committed to providing Anti-Retro Viral Drugs to those who are affected. This had compromised humankind’s development. (Bollinger et al., 1999)
At the national level, AIDS has led to the death of many people in the productive age bracket. This has translated to a loss of useful labor skills. This has negative effects on the economy of most countries. The economy of many nations has also been affected in the sense that more funds are used in treating AIDS-related complications. The health sector of many countries had been strained in the provision of medical services. The government had been left with the burden of caring for those who are sick and the orphans as well. (Friedman et al., 1992)
Benatar (2002) argues that the lower levels of human social life have been seriously affected. Death has left many people grieving for their lost ones and for some, life has not been the same again. They cannot comprehend they had to lose their loved ones through such a disease. Families have been disrupted and the pain is felt across the whole society. Alrutz (1996) argues that disruption of family life has left to the breakage of social fabrics that hold the society together.
In African countries, some villages have been wiped out and only houses have been left standing. Perhaps children have been affected most. Many of them have been lefts as orphans to take care of their own and their parent and their relatives have all died. The older siblings have assumed the role of parenthood to their young siblings and society has been left with the burden of caring for the orphans. (Farmer and Blower, 2003)
AIDS has affected humankind in many ways which have led to reduced development in many humankind aspects of life. It has been misery to the world and especially the developing nations.
References
Alagriri, P. (2002). Global Spending on HIV/AIDS in resource poor settings; The Family Foundation, Issue 45. pp 34.
Alrutz, N. (1996). AIDS in Kenya: Socioeconomic Impact. AIDSCAP.
Benatar, S. (2002): HIV/AIDS Pandemic. Journal of Medicine and philosophy, Vol. 27(2): 100-170.
Bollinger, L, Stover, J. & Kibirige, V. (1999): The Economic impact of AIDS in Uganda. The Future Group International.
Bollinger, L. & Stover, J. (1999): The economic impacts of AIDS. Research Centre for Development and Population Activities, Issue 23, pp 34.
Carr, D., Laptey, P., & Wiglesy, T. (2002): Facing the AIDS Pandemic. The Population Bulletin, Vol. 57, Issue 3.
Farmer, P. & Blower, S. (20003). Antiretroviral: Preventing HIV in Developing Countries. Journal of Science, Vol. 4(12).
Friedman, S., Kleinman, P. H. & Jarlais, D. J. (1992): History, Biography and HIV. Journal of Public Health, vol. 78(3): 45-90.
UNAIDS/WHO (2007). Worldwide HIV & AIDS statistics. Web.
Wigley, P. & Carr, D. (2002): Facing the HIV/AIDS Pandemic. Journal of Population, Vol. 57(3): 23-45.