Spatial Diffusion: AIDS IN AFRICA

What is Spatial Diffusion? The spread of a phenomenon and it’s effects on the region of contact Examples: Diseases (AIDS, SARS, Ebola, etc.) Drug Trade Slang (language) Trends, Ideas, Concepts Foods (types, methods of preparation)

First, a look at the numbers… AIDS First, a look at the numbers…

AIDS 70% of the world’s estimated 40 million people living with HIV/AIDS are located in Sub-Saharan Africa.

AIDS Sub-Saharan Africa is home to 90% of the world’s HIV infected children.

Of 30 children born in sub-Saharan Africa- 10 will acquire the virus simply by being born- 4 will be infected from breast feeding .

Most of these children will not live to see their 5th birthdays. AIDS Most of these children will not live to see their 5th birthdays.

12 million African children have been orphaned due to the AIDS virus.

AIDS 17 million Africans have already died since the epidemic began in the late 1970’s.

AIDS Within 10 years the average life expectancy in 11 countries in Africa will drop below 40 as HIV/AIDS continues to shorten life spans.

Likely geographic scenario: How it started and how it spread

Forerunners of AIDS were present in the primate population of Africa for many years. Spread at some point from monkeys to humans (Could have been many years ago. AIDS could have been present in Africa but highly localized and undetected due to high overall death rates.

Diffusion throughout central Africa due to rapid urbanization, migration, migrant worker system. Spread to Haiti via migrating Africans and Haitians Spread to U.S. male heterosexuals through visits to Port au Prince. Infections of other countries by visiting Americans.

Socio-economic impacts

AIDS kills young people in prime of working lives AIDS kills young people in prime of working lives. Loss of labor force adults.

AIDS pushes people deeper into poverty as households lose breadwinners, livelihoods are compromised, and savings consumed by health care.

11 million African children have lost one or more parents.

Unbalanced sex ratios – 58% of AIDS deaths are females.

Women and young girls bear disproportionate burden of caring for the sick. Young girls miss school, repeating the viscous circle of poverty.

How did it get to the United States?

Patient Zero was an airline flight attendant who visited Port au Prince. Early centers in NY, SF, and LA. The first 250 cases were from patient zero or someone who was infected from patient zero.

The Impact of AIDS on World Population

Works Cited http://www.ncsec.org/cadre2/team8_2/aids_in_africa.ppt http://www.kenyaweb.com/health/aids/ http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2000/aids/stories/women.children/ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/longterm/africanlives/kenya/kenya_aids.htm http://www.aidschannel.org/themes/country/country_404_1.shtml http://www.hrw.org/press/2001/06/kenya0625.htm http://www.time.com/time/newsfiles/aids/ http://www.msnbc.com/news/329969.asp?cp1=1#BODY