Inequalities in health: access to treatment for HIV/AIDS.
The HIV infection represents a very clear example of the inequalities in access to health care between rich and poor countries: AIDS is a disease that the Western world can treat and the resource-limited countries cannot. In the world scenario a total of 5 million patients with HIV/AIDS who need treatment have no access to therapy: the estimated treatment coverage is 28% in Sub-Saharan Africa, 19% in Asia and only 14% in low and middle-income countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. A broad, multisectorial response at national and international levels is required to guarantee access to antiretroviral drugs for all people with HIV/AIDS who need them.
Giuliano
Marina
M
Dipartimento del Farmaco, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy. marina.giuliano@iss.it
Vella
Stefano
S
D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000453:epidemiology; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D001209:Asia, Central / Q000453:epidemiology; D019049:Developed Countries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005061:Europe, Eastern / Q000453:epidemiology; D014943:Global Health; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation