AIDS in now the number one cause of death in Africa, surpassing malaria, and kills many more people than wars. Poverty is a leading cause of the accelerating increase in the spread of the disease.
Health systems are ill-equipped for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
While cocktails of medications have resulted in huge progress in long term survival of HIV infected patients in the wealthy countries, the cost of such medications is far out of reach to most in Africa and elsewhere in the developing world. The only proven method so far of slowing the spread is through education and preventative measures in developing countries. Senegal and Uganda have made significant progress primarily through grassroots education about the use of condoms and other measures. Anglican churches are powerful presence in many of these developing countries. The Episcopal Church in the United States should support efforts in these churches to develop programs of prevention, supportive care for families, and treatment.