Policy, science and health equity
A conducive policy environment and leadership is very important and can make or break everything else we do. In the opinion of HIV activist Susan Cole, "We activists have to ensure that the results of scientific research form our policies and not get side-tracked by ideology. Scientific evidence proves that criminalisation is a direct threat to the HIV response. Countries with progressive laws and human rights protection in place are doing much better in tackling the HIV epidemic, while countries that criminalise same-sex relationship, sex work and drug use, have more people with undiagnosed HIV and lower rates of viral suppression. All communities should benefit from the results of science, else public health value of these scientific advancements will be very limited."
Ending health inequity is a must for ending AIDS
Pickett too calls to end health inequity to end AIDS. He emphasises that, "We have to identify the 'virus' of white supremacy and racism that has been plaguing the world's structures and systems for years. We have to dismantle racism as well as patriarchy that has led to problematic and egocentric selfish decisions. If we do not realise and address the underlying sickness that is hurting our health, happiness, and wellness in so many ways we will not be able to get there with equitable delivery of scientific advancements."
Shobha Shukla - CNS (Citizen News Service)
(Shobha Shukla is the award-winning founding Managing Editor and Executive Director of CNS (Citizen News Service) and is a feminist, health and development justice advocate. She is a former senior Physics faculty of prestigious Loreto Convent College and current Coordinator of Asia Pacific Regional Media Alliance for Health and Development (APCAT Media). Follow her on Twitter @shobha1shukla or read her writings here www.bit.ly/ShobhaShukla)
- Shared under Creative Commons
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
