AIDS: A Challenge That Demands Integrated Solutions
1 December 2024
AIDS continues to impact the world, with Southern Africa bearing a disproportionate burden. In this region, more than 10% of those infected with HIV/AIDS reside, reminding us of the scale of this epidemic. AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, represents the most advanced stage of HIV infection. At its core, AIDS is a collection of potentially life-threatening conditions that arise when HIV severely damages the body’s immune system.
Here’s how it unfolds: HIV relentlessly attacks the immune system, targeting and destroying CD4 cells – these very cells are responsible for helping the body combat infections. As CD4 cells dwindle, the immune system weakens, leaving the body vulnerable to infections, illnesses, and even some cancers.
But the impact of AIDS doesn’t end there. In Southern Africa, where HIV/AIDS prevalence remains high, another health challenge looms: the intersection of HIV/AIDS and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Research shows that people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) face a significantly higher risk of developing NCDs compared to those without the virus. This double burden of disease is particularly pronounced in low- and middle-income countries, where NCDs contribute to a growing proportion of illness and death among PLHIV.
Some NCDs are especially common among PLHIV, including cardiovascular disease, cervical cancer, and diabetes. But why does HIV increase the risk of NCDs?
1.) Chronic inflammation: HIV stimulates inflammatory markers, contributing to conditions like heart disease.
2.) Side effects of antiretroviral therapy: The very medicines that save lives can sometimes increase the risk of certain NCDs.
3.) Shared risk factors: Unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and harmful alcohol consumption overlap with HIV-related risks, compounding the challenge.
This overlap highlights an undeniable truth: healthcare doesn’t exist in silos. To truly address the needs of PLHIV, we must embrace integrated care – where clinics screen and treat both HIV and NCDs together.
Imagine a world where someone visiting a clinic for antiretroviral therapy also receives counseling on managing their blood pressure or preventing diabetes. Where the stigma around HIV dissolves alongside the judgment surrounding conditions like obesity or mental health challenges.
By building health systems that meet patients’ diverse needs, we can improve the quality of life for millions. Together, we can create healthier, more inclusive communities.
Let’s move forward – together. 🌍