The Case of Social Stigma of HIV Patients in South Africa

The case of social stigma of HIV patients is evaluated in this essay. The paper begins with origins of HIV disease, then gives analysis of stigmatization of Ryan White and finally the theme of social stigma in the healthcare will be analysed. 

Origins and History of HIV

Even though there are no exact records indicating how HIV Aids exactly came into existence, some speculations indicate that the disease might have originated from Central Africa, specifically from Congo as early as 1920s. However, medical identification and documentations indicate that HIV was discovered in America in 1982, and it was thought to be a gay disease, and this could only be changed in1983 when the same condition was discovered in female partners. Upon another discovery of the same condition in France, the WHO assembled to assess the Aids situation and as the increasing cases were reported to be as high as 3,064, fatality rate was as high as 1,290 or more. In 1984, the NCI announced finding the cause of the disease as HLTV and by July, the CDC had announced that people should avoid sharing needles and other sharp objects to avoid further transmission.

FDA legalized the first commercial blood test in 1985 and in the same year, the first case of a social stigma within a school environment is practiced, whereby a teenage that had contracted the disease from a syringe needle being expelled. By 1986, more than 84 countries had reported slightly over 38,200 cases worldwide with America having more than 31,000 cases. In 1987, the WHO declared its global awareness program against the condition, and estimated that more than ten million people were living with HIV Aids and in1988, December first had been declared as World Aids Day while the first case of death of the expelled teenager, Ryan White, occurred in1990. In 1993, the US congress voted heavily for banning people having HIV from entry into the USA. In 1995 the FDA undertook approval of the first inhibitor treatment that was called High Active Antiretroviral Treatment, and in 1996 the number of people living with HIV in the world was estimated at 23 million. Examine each disease historically and to present. In 2000, the WHO negotiated with five companies to reduce the overall costs of the HIV drugs, with it establishing funds for funding those with infections in2002 and managed to raise more than $600 million by the end of 2003. Much progress was made in 2012 when FDA approved the use of PrEP for prevention of HIV before sex, and by 2017, it was established that more than half HIV patients had received anti-retroviral treatment.

The Case of Ryan White: the Beginning of Stigmatization

The first case of a reported death of HIV patient was that of Ryan White. Having been diagnosed with the disease at the age of 13, white was expelled from Western Middle School in Kokomo Indiana. When as a teenager was diagnosed with AIDS, the school poured backlash at him and barred him from entering into the school, making him the first case of social stigma and open discrimination against people living with AIDS. At the time, there was little material available regarding HIV and for anyone and it is thought that the fear for the disease was beyond understanding. People often likened HIV AIDs with deadly fevers that swept in the US history, such the famous Yellow Fever.

However, White did not give up, but through his mother’s help, they fought for attention and re-entry into school, gaining global attention as a symbol for stigma and discrimination of people living with HIV. Numerous world organizations fighting the stigma still use Ryan’s image as a campaign against stigma and discrimination on people living with HIV Aids. Ryan passed on in 1990 and the US congress responded with the formation of the Ryan White Act, which sought to illegalize the open discrimination of people living with HIV and Aids, from working or attending public and private institutions.

Even though this condition is medically said to have been sexually transmitted, Ryan’s contracting was from a syringe, but taking time into understanding and educating people got to change the sexual contractual perspective. Awareness from medical experts, as well as those from non-governmental organizations enlightens people about the cause, showing that everyone can be affected, thus, helping people to change their minds from stigmatization.

The history of mental illness is thought to be complex but much of what it is now indicate that it dates back to ancient times. During ancient Greece, mental illness was considered as a form of demonic attacks or punishment occurring due to too much possession of demonic forces within. It was more of a religious attribute from a personal level than it was considered as a disease that would need medical attention. Its occurrence in America was also preceded with negative attitudes towards the condition, which changed how people view the disease. These changes formed the foundation of later and even current views upon mental illness leading to forms of discrimination owing to the fact that it arises from unhygienic thus, leading to confinement and isolation of mentally ill people.

Social Stigmatization Case

Joseph Mound was a normal working male in America in 1998. However, owing to the economic crisis of 2008, he lost his job at a computer company, HP. Given that he was unable to find employment elsewhere, Joseph sunk into frustrations. His family was on him for not working hard enough to get a job. He resorted to drinking to ease the frustrations, but problems went worse. He lost all his friends, and the wife deserted him. He was unable to get income to sustain living, and more stress piled up. He ended up resorting to moving to the streets to beg and eat from the gutter, showing that his mental condition had worsened. No one ever entertained him nearby, even in the streets. However, there was a leave of release came his way in 207 when he was admitted for treatment against mental health.

Even though the situation of this change might not have contributed the removal of Joseph from the streets, it is estimated that the previous legal actions had significantly contributed to this action. The first act was established in 1946by Truman which created an institute to recognize the condition, and a subsequent MRDCHC Act in 1963 constitutionalizing mental health proved significant in this recognition. In 1979, Mental Retardation Act was established, giving people living mental disease a chance to be recognized as being sick instead of being scolded in society. Various programs have since been formulated to ensure treatment of mental health diseases over time. Currently, it is estimated that more than 20% with a treatment rate of more than 60%, implying that people are seeking treatment for mental healthcare problems. These had led to the change of minds within non-governmental organization, creating a sense of saving people from mental sicknesses.

References

• AHF lauds bi-partisan ryan white revamp proposal; US' largest AIDS group supports proposed changes to Ryan White CARE act that seek to prioritize medical care and bring more HIV positive individuals into treatment. (2006, May 09). PR Newswire 
• King, C. A., Kerr, D. C. R., Passarelli, M. N., Foster, C. E., & Merchant, C. R. (2010). One-year follow-up of suicidal adolescents: Parental history of mental health problems and time to post-hospitalization attempt. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 39(3), 219-32.
• Schulden, J. D., Painter, T. M., Song, B., Valverde, E., & al, e. (2014). HIV testing histories and risk factors among migrants and recent immigrants who received rapid HIV testing from three community-based organizations. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 16(5), 798-810.
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