Partnerships with business
'Partnerships between the public sector and the business community are one way to beat the HIV epidemic, according to Ben Plumley of the Global Business Coalition for HIV/Aids. Even though, "companies' expertise is in making money, not giving it away," it is in the interests of business to collaborate with governments and charities to battle HIV. He cited many successful partnerships worldwide but stressed that the way forward is; "self interest, not charity from the business community."
Jail 'helps fuel epidemic'
Laws which jail individuals who transmit HIV exacerbate the Aids epidemic. A UNAIDS report said that laws against people with HIV around the world were often passed in the hope that they would stem HIV infection but in fact made matters worse. Sending people to jail stigmatises people with the virus, deters people from getting tested and makes people lie about their HIV status, the study said. However, a recent Scottish study published since the case of Craig Kelly, who was imprisoned last March, found that testing rates among high risk groups had not in fact gone down but had actually gone up.
Homeless and those in care at risk
Young homeless people, those in care, those in prison or those with mental problems are much more likely to be at risk of catching HIV, according to a Canadian study. Researchers found that even those who had only been homeless or institutionalised for short periods were at much higher risk of getting HIV. They concluded that HIV prevention efforts should address issues of mental and social stability as well as
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