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CURRENTS
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On the one hand, the Brazilian government has done an excellent job linking its official response to HIV/AIDS with concepts of human rights. For example, Brazilian law states that access to treatment for people infected is an inalienable human right. It is illegal to discriminate against PLWHAs (people living with HIV/AIDS) in matters of employment, healthcare, schools, and cultural/athletic facilities. In addition, strict confidentiality laws are in place to protect people with the virus. On the other hand, people living with HIV/AIDS in Brazil experience prejudice and discrimination, similar to that seen elsewhere in the world. Nongovernmental organizations have reported ongoing discrimination in parts of the country. Socioeconomic inequalities help to reinforce these stigmas and misperceptions as well. Impact of HIV Brazil is home to the largest number of infected people in the region, with 57% of all AIDS cases in Latin America (U.S. Agency for International Development). The epidemic has remained concentrated primarily among high-risk groups such as men who have sex with men, sex workers, and injecting drug users. Because of Brazil’s successful prevention programs, there has been little variation in the number of infected patients over the past five years. In fact, since 1998, all regions of the country, except for the south, have experienced a decrease in newly reported HIV cases (AIDS Policy Research Center, University of California- San Francisco). Despite Brazil’s successful HIV/AIDS initiatives and policies, the virus still has had an important effect on the country. UNAIDS estimates that 650,000 Brazilians are infected with the disease. This has a large impact on society, as AIDS strikes those in the most productive age groups and is fatal without antiretroviral treatment. The cost of paying for health facilities and medical treatments is high. Also, society must care for children orphaned by the disease. Government Response and Access Brazil is a regional and global leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS and the government has generously allocated resources to the cause, at the national, state, and local levels. In 1996, the Brazilian government launched a policy to provide free antiretroviral medication to its citizens. Thus, access to care and antiretroviral medication is universal and guaranteed by national law. Currently, 135,000 PLWHAs receive antiretroviral treatment paid for by the government. In addition to free access to antiretroviral medication, general principles of the government’s program include guaranteed human rights for PLWHAs, testing and treatment facilities, education initiatives, and disposable syringe and condom promotion programs. These programs have all proved successful. In 2003, the government distributed 400 million condoms in Brazil and has plans to triple that number by 2006 (Human Rights Watch). Although 80% of the government’s budget for HIV/AIDS goes to treatment and only 10% goes to prevention, education initiatives in the country have been helpful. The government has launched mass media campaigns focused on educating the general public about HIV transmission and safe sex. These campaigns seem to be effective too. The public polling company, IBOPE, found that condom use among casual partners had increased by 12% between 1999 and 2003. They found that overall, 57.8% of the population uses condoms when having sex. Brazil appears to be an example of a country winning its battle against HIV/AIDS. However, challenges and barriers still exist. Because of the country’s large income disparity, there are parts of the population that are poor, illiterate, and have limited access to healthcare. Protecting the rights of poor women is of primary concern, as many have little choice about whether or not to use condoms with their partners. Work must still be done to improve the quality and quantity of prevention and care in Brazil. Scale Brazil is home to the largest number of PLWHAs in Latin America. It is believed that 57% of all infections in the region occur in Brazil. Although the country has appeared to stabilize the epidemic, extreme poverty in certain areas has proved to be a challenge. Some statistics to help illustrate the severity of the epidemic within the Brazil follow. -Adult (15-49) Prevalence Rate: 0.7% Local NGO profile:Grupo Pela Vidda Local NGOs have played an important role in stabilizing Brazil’s epidemic. Civil society has responded to the epidemic wholeheartedly as well. For example, in 1992 there were only 12 NGOs working to address HIV/AIDS issues, and just six years later there were more than 500. One of the largest of these organizations though, is the Grupo Pela Vidda. Founded in 1989, the organization is made up of people living with HIV/AIDS and their friends and family. The group works to “promote the empowerment of people living HIV/AIDS.” They do so by offering weekly meetings, free legal advice, and creating educational materials about issues of HIV/AIDS in Brazil. Facts and Resources about AIDS in Brazil *HIV/AIDS in Brazil (AIDS Policy Research Institute Center) *Speech to Brazil, by UNAIDS Executive Director *Article: "X-Rated Help"- Brazilian Porno Industry Helps Promote Safe Sex *BBC Article: "Brazil uses porn to Fight Aids"
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