Most AIDS cases are in poor countries.  The governments cannot afford to treat the disease.  Millions are dying.  

AIDS seems to be under control in the United States.  In other countries, especially poor ones, the disease is killing millions. 

In the United States people are living longer with HIV and AIDS.  But the costs are high.  Drug treatment to boost the immune system can cost more than $10,000.  Being a rich country, the United States can afford this treatment.  In other countries, the story is very different. 

Zimbabwe is a southern African country.  It now has the highest number of AIDS cases in the world.  It is estimated that one in four Zimbabweans is HIV positive. 

Most people in Zimbabwe are poor.  They go to government clinics when they are sick.  But the government has only $11 per year to spend on health care for each person.  That means people with AIDS don’t get help.  They die, but not of AIDS.  They die of other diseases which they can’t fight because AIDS has weakened their immune system.  If you look at maps of Africa which show disease rates, you will see that countries with the most cases of AIDS also have the most cases of TB, malaria, and measles. 

Millions of people in Africa will die of diseases because AIDS has made them weak.  This is also true in other parts of the world.  India has four million people with HIV.  Treating so many people with expensive drugs is not possible. 

AIDS is preventable.  Some countries are deciding to put their money into education instead of treatment.  In Thailand, for example, the government has a rule that all brothels use condoms.  The number of STDs has dropped and HIV seems under control.  Other countries could do more to change sexual behavior and promote safe sex. 

AIDS - Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome  

Immune system - the chemicals in the body which help fight disease.  

HIV - The human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS.  

STD - Sexually transmitted disease.