To better understand the workings of the Millennium Development Goals, we will start an initial examination and evaluation with reference to the MDG framework to the problem of infectious diseases (specifically HIV/AIDS).
What is an infectious disease?
An infectious disease is an illness infected plants, animals and humans from a pathogenic agent like bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and protozoa. Transmission of infectious diseases may occur in several ways, including through insect bites (i.e. malarial mosquitoes), bodily fluids (HIV, hepatitis), food and water (i.e. many diarrheal diseases, e. coli in ground meat) and contaminated surfaces (i.e. noroviruses on cruise ships).
What are the most deadly infectious diseases?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2002, the five most deadly infectious diseases were lower respiratory diseases like pneumonia and influenzas (3.9 million), HIV/AIDS (2.8 million), diarrheal diseases caused by bacteria like cholera and e. coli (1.8 million), tuberculosis - TB (1.6 million), and malaria (1.3 million).
Why does it seem that HIV/AIDS and, to a lesser extent, malaria are discussed far more frequently than these other microbial killers?
There is not a straight-forward, universally-accepted answer to this question. Simply stated, the pathogens that cause lower respiratory diseases, diarrheal diseases and tuberculosis thrive in areas with poverty and underdevelopment (specific connection to poor health care, infrastructure and education regarding transmission). Furthermore, in MEDCs, the latter two have essentially been eradicated in the former doesn't lead to many deaths which, unfortunately, leads to less discussion of these diseases.
HIV/AIDS, a "new" epidemic in the course of human epidemiology, exists in rich and poor country alike, affecting men, women, children of every race, religion and socioeconomic position. Moreover, the means of transmission (specifically the sexual route) can be, culturally and religiously, a very difficult subject which leads to a stigmatization of the disease not seen with the other infections. Lastly, its wildfire-like spread through and subsequent humanistic and economic attack on sub-Saharan Africa in the late 1990s to today has brought much attention to HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. These are a few major reasons why HIV/AIDS has become a focal point of international discussion, but certainly is not an exhaustive list.
As for malaria, the pathogen which is transmitted from mosquito to human follows the same sort of pattern described above for lower respiratory diseases, diarrheal diseases and tuberculosis. Perhaps the absolute cheapness of mosquito nets and other malaria prevention methods has led to "more" global attention to this infectious disease?!
What is the connection between MDG6 and infectious disease?
MDG6 reads:
GOAL 6: COMBAT HIV/AIDS, MALARIA AND OTHER DISEASES
Target 7. Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS
Indicators
18. HIV prevalence among pregnant women aged 15-24 years (UNAIDS-WHO-UNICEF)
19. Condom use rate of the contraceptive prevalence rate (UN Population Division)
19a. Condom use at last high-risk sex (UNICEF-WHO)
19b. Percentage of population aged 15-24 years with comprehensive correct knowledge of HIV/AIDS (UNICEF-WHO)
19c. Contraceptive prevalence rate (UN Population Division)
20. Ratio of school attendance of orphans to school attendance of non-orphans aged 10-14 years (UNICEF-UNAIDS-WHO)
Target 8. Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the incidence of malaria and other major diseases
Indicators
21. Prevalence and death rates associated with malaria (WHO)
22. Proportion of population in malaria-risk areas using effective malaria prevention and treatment measures (UNICEF-WHO)
23. Prevalence and death rates associated with tuberculosis (WHO)
24. Proportion of tuberculosis cases detected and cured under DOTS (internationally recommended TB control strategy) (WHO)
Clearly, the world believes the prevention and eventual eradication of preventable diseases like HIV/AIDS and malaria is an important goal for humanity. MDG6 delineated the major goal, its two sub-targets and their measurable indicators (with the charged organization in parentheses). Look at and consider them!
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