China
HIV/AIDS
HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus and AIDS, the acquired immune deficiency syndrome which is the severe manifeststation of HIV accounts for the deaths of roughly 2.4 3.3 million lives annually, with an estimate of over nearly 25 million dead since its discovery in 1981. The HIV retrovirus replicates by using its RNA transcriptase, and the host cells organelles. It reproduces and lyses at a rapid rate, destroying the white blood cells (CD4+ Helper T) which fight off simple infections. Despite the medications that are being developed which attempt to inhibit the retro-virus from replicating by inducing repressor enzymes, none have been effective to a point to where the total deaths has fallen significantly. The primary cause of AIDS is becoming infected by the HIV virus, which is transmitted via infected blood or body fluids. Methods include unprotected sex, anal intercourse, occupational needle stick or body fluid splash, and receiving contaminated blood products. Fundamentally, all nations are involved with this issue because of the distribution of the disease. Each nation has its share with an infected population; however, some areas such as sub-Saharan Africa have the worst manifestation of the virus (a different strain) with majority of the populating considered infected.
In 2001 representatives and head of states from 189 gathered to address the issue on this epidemic. The Declaration of Commitment was adopted and recognized this issue as a global emergency which would be challenging to human life. It was basically an outline for up to come Millennium Development Goal, where by 2015 the spread of the AIDS and HIV virus would be ceased, and reversed by the efforts of the global community. Most notably as the primary advocate of global action against AIDS/HIV is UNAIDS, which has focused on awareness, and suppressing socioeconomic factors that the virus has induced. The main goals were to prevent people from receiving the virus, taking care of those infected, decrease their vulnerability to the virus, and suppressing the social and economic stress it has caused. The World Health Organization (WHO) since 1986 has encouraged nations to promote awareness of the issue. WHO has helped nations set up many national AIDS programs, but there is only so much organizations can do to alleviate the problem as the virus is spread practically everywhere, it would take a global effort and a community of organizations to slowly delay the rapid spread. Other U.N. affiliated organizations have acknowledged and also addressed the issue such as UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank, which are co-sponsors of the U.N. AIDS community. There are also many non-governmental organizations such as RED, which primary collect funds to raise awareness and offer capital to nations who cant afford prevention measures or care for their people.
China, the worlds most populated nation, has an estimate by the U.N.AIDS and China of nearly 700,000 people infected with the epidemic, which an annual mortality of 40,000 people. China has been involved with the problem when it was first reported in Beijing when foreigners and Chinese people carried diseases from the outside world, and along with the outbreak from the drug users, the virus spread rapidly. China State Council issued the Medium and Long Turn Plan for AIDS Prevention and Control. China has acknowledged the problem, and is using public propaganda schemes to promote awareness, treatment plans, and the prevalence and spread of the virus. In 2001, China issued the China Plan of Action to Contain, Prevent and Control HIV/AIDS. They ensured conventional prevention measures, such as testing blood for HIV before blood transfusion. China has certainly addressed the issue, and has it on their agenda. It has released TV series emphasizing the importance of prevention, made a National AIDS day. Currently China has been revising its policies and accepting aid from foreign nations. It has openly discussed the issue, and has collaborated with the U.N. and many other nations.