Reports Highlight Promising Approaches to HIV/AIDS Epidemic; Ford Foundation Magazine Stories from Brazil, Kenya, New York, Washington 6/27/2002
From: Elizabeth Coleman of Ford Foundation, 212-573-4811, e-mail: e.coleman@fordfound.org Web: http://www.fordfound.org/ NEW YORK, June 27 -- Anticipating the July World AIDS Conference in Barcelona, the Summer 2002 issue of the Ford Foundation Report offers four must-read articles on responses to the AIDS epidemic based on the idea that controlling it must involve much more than medicine. "Virtually every country that has managed to reduce the rate of H.I.V. infection -- including Brazil, Senegal, Thailand and Uganda -- combines three conditions," writes David Winters, a foundation program officer. These include "top level political commitment, a comprehensive approach to prevention and care, and active community-based participation, including the leadership of people living with AIDS." Pursuing these ideas, the magazine's writers sought out the experts and found the stories in Brazil, Kenya, New York and Washington. Their articles reflect the magazine's special access to people and programs making a positive difference around the world. The Ford Foundation Report and these articles are available online at http://www.fordfound.org/ffreport/summer2002/ AIDS: How Brazil Turned the Tide - by Christopher Reardon In the 1980's, experts predicted that Brazil was headed for an AIDS catastrophe -- the disease threatened to swamp the nation's health care system while fueling social and political chaos. Yet by 1998, Brazil's epidemic had peaked at levels no greater than those of North America or Western Europe, and the rate of incidence now is declining. Can others replicate its success? Family Crisis, Community - by Helen Epstein AIDS continues to devastate African societies, but in Kenya and Tanzania, community organizations are making a difference with programs that combine health education, neighborhood activism and efforts to expand employment options for the poor. "Economic opportunity will reduce the transmission of AIDS," explains one expert, pointing to women who have used small loans to escape prostitution by selling produce or opening beauty salons and handicraft shops. Gender and the Epidemic: An Interview with Geeta Rao Gupta - by Andrea Kott Gupta, President of the International Center for Research on Women, argues compellingly that gender inequality in societies around the world increases vulnerability to AIDS for both men and women. Gupta asserts that change is possible and that "if you give women power, you're not taking away men's power, you're adding to the power of the entire household, the community, the country." Damage Control - by Kevin Krajick Addicts spread AIDS as they share needles they use to inject drugs. A mountain of research now confirms that providing them with clean syringes dramatically reduces spread of the disease. Rather than encouraging drug abuse, such programs often become an effective form of outreach that winds up bringing in addicts for drug treatment and other services. Even so, the number of clean needles distributed remains dwarfed by the enormous need. The Ford Foundation Report, a magazine published quarterly by the Ford Foundation's Office of Communications, offers journalistic reports, stories and interviews on a wide range of issues engaged by the work of the foundation's program divisions: Peace and Social Justice; Asset Building and Community Development; and Education, Media, Arts and Culture. Note to editors: Three of these articles --- "AIDS: How Brazil Turned the Tide," "Family Crisis, Community Response" and "Damage Control" -- are available in shorter versions suitable for use as news or op-ed features. The texts of these articles may be reprinted free of charge. To download go to http://www.fordfound.org/news/ |