The findings on the economic costs of the epidemic were presented at an international meeting of economists, which was held as part of the Durban conference. The need to know more about the economic causes and consequences of the epidemic, and how donor countries and governments in the developing world can work together to prevent new infections and help people who are already ill. Resources cut Studies presented to the meeting suggest that high levels of HIV infection reduce growth significantly, making it harder for countries to fight poverty and to create the resources to cope with the epidemic. Individual families will also find their incomes reduced. Aids causes lasting damage to poor children who are orphaned as one or both parents succumb to HIV, studies suggested.
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