HIV/AIDS and Individuals with Disability

In: Health and human rights, Band 8, Heft 2, S. 215-224

Abstract

The vulnerability of people with disabilities to HIV/AIDS is investigated. Data collected during the World Bank/Yale Global Survey on HIV/AIDS & Disability that measured the impact of HIV/AIDS upon the disabled populations of 57 countries is analyzed. The findings demonstrate that disabled populations are equally if not more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS than able-bodied populations; for instance, it is stressed that women with disabilities are more susceptible to rape, that women with disabilities are perceived as unmarriageable within certain societies & are forced into dangerous sexual relations, & that many nations fail to preserve the human rights of people with disabilities. In addition, it is demonstrated that people with disabilities may not be provided access to sex education programs & appropriate health care. Despite these circumstances, it is concluded that people with disabilities will likely receive additional attention from HIV/AIDS advocates since funding for HIV/AIDS programs are scarce presently. Adapted from the source document.