Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2008. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
|
|
Reuters (12.05.08) - Thursday, December 11, 2008
Pascal Fletcher
"What is coming down the pipe in terms of the financial crisis cannot be underestimated," said WFP Deputy Executive Director Sheila Sisulu. Reduced donor aid for nutritional and health care support could push millions more Africans into a self- perpetuating cycle of poverty, disease, and death.
Africa suffers from the double threat of increased malnutrition and diseases such as HIV/AIDS and TB. Africans who lack adequate nutrition - due to conflict, natural disasters or high prices - have weakened immune systems, making them more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS and TB. The deaths from disease of family breadwinners drain the economic lifeline for households as well as whole economies, said Martin Bloem, WFP's Nutrition and HIV/AIDS Policy chief.
Bloem pleaded with rich governments not to cut international aid allocations due to the global credit crunch. "The [rise in] food prices at the beginning of the year and now the economic crisis, this is enormous, the urgency to act now is so much bigger," he said.
"The number of people dependent on external resources will increase over the next few years; the economic crisis will diminish the amount of money that we will get," Bloem said. "How can we cope with these incredible needs?"
Sisulu and Bloem said efforts to address Africa's HIV/AIDS pandemic should work to improve the deficient nutritional intake of most poor Africans in addition to emphasizing medical treatment.
081211
AD082324
Copyright © 2008 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2008. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2008. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.
.