In recent years, the emergence and re-emergence of infectious illnesses have posed a critical concern in both developed and developing nations. These diseases pose a significant threat to public health and call for the respective governments to enact strategies to prepare for and address the effects that the illnesses could present. Ensuring the diseases are effectively controlled entails the collaboration of the health department and other government branches. A predominant concern that increases the prevalence of infectious illness is increased global travel, which makes it easier for diseases to spread between countries. While there are several infectious diseases in the world today, among the most common ones prevalent in the United States and having adverse effects on the population is HIV/AIDS. A comprehensive evaluation and analysis of the disease, including its overall description, strategies to address it, and current research on the disease, allows the government to develop more practical and effective strategies to address the disease’s impact.
HIV/AIDS is a notable pandemic in most nations, including the United States. Even though individuals with the disease tend to live longer in the current era, rates of new diagnoses are increasing. Sullivan et al. (2021) highlight that the first case of HIV was reported in June of 1981 in the U.S., and currently, the number surpasses 1.2 million people. The disease is highly infectious and is predominantly caused by people having unprotected sex, which allows the passage of the virus (Kang et al. 2022). HIV/AIDS often negatively affects specific populations, including ethnic and racial minorities and the LGBTQ+ population, since most of them are drug users than the general population (Kang et al. 2022). This disease is selected for analysis in this paper because there is a high infection rate of approximately 35 000 every year and a high mortality rate (Kang et al. 2022).
The U.S. government recognizes the effect of the disease on these populations and puts in place strategies to mitigate the disease’s impact. One approach the federal government adopts is funding the health department to conduct research on the HIV/AIDS pandemic. For example, in 2019, the U.S. federal funding amounted to approximately $36.8 billion for domestic HIV efforts to care for the affected persons and create awareness (Kang et al. 2022). Additionally, the government initiated the “Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative: A Plan for America.” The primary approach of this initiative is to minimize new infections in the U.S. by 80% in the next 10 years. Four distinct pillars guide the plan: diagnosing, treating, preventing, and responding to HIV/AIDS. Several federal departments are involved in participating in domestic HIV/AIDS response to offer health insurance coverage and support persons living with the disease.
Investigations on HIV/AIDS focus on understanding the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS and its effects on individuals and societies. In this case, the disease is mainly transmitted through sexual intercourse, sharing of drug equipment, and breast milk from the mother to a child (Bosworth et al. 2022). Research studies highlight that HIV/AIDS can be prevented by taking pre-exposure prophylaxis within 72 hours after exposure. Co-infections such as tuberculosis and hepatitis are also linked to HIV/AIDS. Recent surveillance data on HIV/AIDS demonstrate a significant decrease in the number of new infections. Sullivan et al. (2021) support these findings in the conclusion that there was an 8% decrease from 37,800 in 2015 to 34,800 in 2022 (Bosworth et al. 2022). Recent data further point out that around 30,635 people got HIV diagnoses in 2022, which highlights a 17% decrease compared to recent years (Bosworth et al. 2022).
The concept of emergence and re-emergence of HIV/AIDS involves the introduction and successive spread of the disease among human beings. Initially, the illness started in the early 20th century in Central Africa. It later spread worldwide to other nations, including the U.S. The re-emergence of the disease has been recorded in recent years due to specific reasons. One cause of this re-emergence is risky behavior among U.S. citizens, which is evident in crucial changes in drug use and sexual behaviors that lead to increased transmission, particularly when individuals fail to take part in risk-reduction behaviors (Sullivan et al. 2021). The re-emergence of the disease is enhanced by a lack of awareness and education on the effects and causes of the disease. The issue results in associated risky behaviors and the inability to enact prevention strategies and treatment services.
The U.S. government has undertaken investigations through the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to understand the disease better and find the most appropriate control measures. Investigations by the CDC in 2022 found that around 1.3 million Americans aged 13 and above live with the virus (Bosworth et al., 2022). Based on these figures, approximately 65% received appropriate care, and 56% were virally undetectable for the virus. The findings go on to determine that a suppressed viral load prevents people living with the virus from spreading it to others. Sullivan et al. (2021) point out that in 2022 and 2021, there were approximately 36,400 deaths in adolescents and adults due to HIV/AI, primarily caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since the recognition of this incurable disease, wide-ranging research has been conducted in several nations, including the U.S. Though past studies helped determine the causes of the virus, its symptoms, and its prevalence, ongoing research attempts to find a cure for the illness. Developed countries in Europe led by the World Health Organization are conducting studies to find the cure to the illness with no apparent success. Ongoing research also strives to improve the strength of antiretroviral therapy and medication to prevent the spread of the disease. To enable this strategy, scientists focus on understanding the virus’s basic biology and interaction with the human body. Adopting this strategy will allow the researcher to develop a solid antiretroviral drug and cure. Additional research on HIV/AIDS is investigating better approaches that can be utilized to prevent the spread of the virus among individuals (Sullivan et al. 2021). Success in this research will ensure a significant decrease in the percentage of the spread of the virus.
HIV/AIDS remains a critical health concern in the U.S. and other countries. This infectious disease threatens all societies and calls for the federal government to enact strategies to address the problem. A closer analysis of the problem highlights that the U.S. government has implemented strategies to minimize the spread by funding the respective departments. Although effective antiretroviral therapy is used as directed by the CDC; nonetheless, access to treatment and care is challenging for persons with the disease. Recent research provides promising results in addressing the problem in the U.S. and other countries.
References
Bosworth, R. J., Borschmann, R., Altice, F. L., Kinner, S. A., Dolan, K., & Farrell, M. (2022). HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and tuberculosis-related mortality among incarcerated people: a global scoping review. International Journal of Prisoner Health, 18(1), 66-82. Web.
Kang, J. Y., Farkhad, B. F., Chan, M. P. S., Michels, A., Albarracin, D., & Wang, S. (2022). Spatial accessibility to HIV testing, treatment, and prevention services in Illinois and Chicago, USA. PloS One, 17(7), e0270404. Web.
Sullivan, P. S., Johnson, A. S., Pembleton, E. S., Stephenson, R., Justice, A. C., Althoff, K. N. & Beyrer, C. (2021). Epidemiology of HIV in the USA: Epidemic burden, inequities, contexts, and responses. The Lancet, 397(10279), 1095-1106. Web.