Helen Epstein, an independent consultant and writer specializing in public health in developing countries, gave a lecture titled "The Invisible Cure, the West and the Fight against AIDS," on Monday, April 21. Epstein discussed her own views on the causes of the AIDS epidemic on the African continent as well as possible steps that can be taken to reduce the rate of infection in these countries.
Epstein focused on the AIDS epidemic in countries on the Eastern and Southern rim of Africa, as she explained that most cases of HIV cases occur in these regions. According to Epstein, one of the main reasons for a high AIDS rate in these areas is the number of those who have more than one sexual partner simultaneously (known as concurrency). While polygamy was traditionally the reason for this, it has mostly died out, but concurrency has continued for various reasons. This is pertinent especially to certain ethnic groups and tribes within nations, in which men are traditionally polygamist due to tribe customs of marriage and economics. While Epstein noted that this formal polygamist system is dying out in Africa, she mentioned that long-term, more informal overlapping sexual relationships are becoming more prevalent in Africa than anywhere else in the world.
She explained that this system of "concurrency networks" only exacerbates the spread of AIDS more quickly and fervently as opposed to "serial monogamy," in which it is unlikely for multiple partners to be infected.
In explaining why the AIDS epidemic has grown so rapidly in Africa, Epstein also commented on possible ways of how to reduce spreading of the infection. In her opinion, the most effective method is behavioral change, although she acknowledges that such change is often difficult. However, Epstein gave an example where behavioral change did in fact reduce the rate of AIDS in the nation of Uganda. She mentioned that Ugandan social networks publicly discussed AIDS on a personal level and thus began showing signs of behavioral change that led to reduce rates of AIDS. Epstein also noted that programs and campaigns aimed toward this goal can be divisive, often sending the wrong message to their target audience. Oftentimes such campaigns discriminate against those with AIDS rather than promote positive change.
Epstein concluded with a message she says needs to be taught in Africa and the rest of the world: that "AIDS is everybody's problem. The enemy is HIV and not the people infected with it." In response, she urges that people ought to be taught about long-term concurrency networks and how they exacerbate the AIDS problem, as well as working on programs to unite those fighting the epidemic rather than dividing them on social, cultural and sexist lines.
Epstein has conducted research on reproductive health and AIDS in Africa for such organizations as the Rockefeller Foundation, the Population Council and Human Rights Watch, and her articles have appeared in the New York Review of Books, Granta Magazine and many other publications. Her current research interests include the right to health care in developing countries and the relationship between poverty and health in industrialized countries. Epstein obtained a Ph.D. in molecular biology from Cambridge University in 1991 and an MSc in public health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in 1996.
-- by Danielle Raulli '10
Epstein focused on the AIDS epidemic in countries on the Eastern and Southern rim of Africa, as she explained that most cases of HIV cases occur in these regions. According to Epstein, one of the main reasons for a high AIDS rate in these areas is the number of those who have more than one sexual partner simultaneously (known as concurrency). While polygamy was traditionally the reason for this, it has mostly died out, but concurrency has continued for various reasons. This is pertinent especially to certain ethnic groups and tribes within nations, in which men are traditionally polygamist due to tribe customs of marriage and economics. While Epstein noted that this formal polygamist system is dying out in Africa, she mentioned that long-term, more informal overlapping sexual relationships are becoming more prevalent in Africa than anywhere else in the world.
She explained that this system of "concurrency networks" only exacerbates the spread of AIDS more quickly and fervently as opposed to "serial monogamy," in which it is unlikely for multiple partners to be infected.
In explaining why the AIDS epidemic has grown so rapidly in Africa, Epstein also commented on possible ways of how to reduce spreading of the infection. In her opinion, the most effective method is behavioral change, although she acknowledges that such change is often difficult. However, Epstein gave an example where behavioral change did in fact reduce the rate of AIDS in the nation of Uganda. She mentioned that Ugandan social networks publicly discussed AIDS on a personal level and thus began showing signs of behavioral change that led to reduce rates of AIDS. Epstein also noted that programs and campaigns aimed toward this goal can be divisive, often sending the wrong message to their target audience. Oftentimes such campaigns discriminate against those with AIDS rather than promote positive change.
Epstein concluded with a message she says needs to be taught in Africa and the rest of the world: that "AIDS is everybody's problem. The enemy is HIV and not the people infected with it." In response, she urges that people ought to be taught about long-term concurrency networks and how they exacerbate the AIDS problem, as well as working on programs to unite those fighting the epidemic rather than dividing them on social, cultural and sexist lines.
Epstein has conducted research on reproductive health and AIDS in Africa for such organizations as the Rockefeller Foundation, the Population Council and Human Rights Watch, and her articles have appeared in the New York Review of Books, Granta Magazine and many other publications. Her current research interests include the right to health care in developing countries and the relationship between poverty and health in industrialized countries. Epstein obtained a Ph.D. in molecular biology from Cambridge University in 1991 and an MSc in public health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in 1996.
-- by Danielle Raulli '10
