(ANS – New York) – On Friday 10 fFebruary 2012, Fr Thomas Brennan SDB  the  representative  of the Congregation at the United Nation, organised and moderated a Forum “Poverty: a Contributing Factor to and Consequence of HIV Infection.” The event sponsored by the Commission on Social Development at the United Nations, examined the impact  of HIV infections on individuals, families and societies.

The first speaker was Dr , Joyce Hunter, D.S.W., from the HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, who presented the most recent information on HIV infection among adolescents and outlined the challenges created by the presence of 3.8 million children under the age of 15 living with HIV. Dr. Hunter, a clinician and researcher with extensive experience highlighted the impact of poverty on children and adolescents who are infected with or affected by HIV

Eric Sawyer, Civil Society Partnership Advisor, UNAIDS, addressed the issue Poverty: Impact and Implications for the Three Zeros. UNAIDS has begun a programme to achieve zero new infections, zero deaths from the infection, and zero discrimination. Mr. Sawyer presented the current research on HIV infection, societal attitudes and the need to address the infection in every population and nation. The infection has an impact on everyone, and it is necessary for everyone  to examine their attitudes and behaviour.

HIV infection and its impact on families and communities in one area of India was addressed by Rev. Felix Jones, S.V.D., VIVAT International in his presentation: HIV Pushes Households and Individuals into Deeper Poverty.  Presenting the results of his work with over 8,000 individuals and families in an area already rife with poverty, HIV infection further exacerbated the poverty and desperation of the people.

Beatrice J. Krauss, Ph.D., Professor of Urban Public Health and Executive Director, Hunter College Center for Community and Urban Health had prepared a presentation A Community Responds to HIV and Poverty in connection with the lower East Side of Manhattan which  has a high concentration of HIV infection, creating great stresses on families and especially children. It was delivered by Thomas Brennan, S.D.B., Ed.D., the representative of the Salesians at the United Nations who  also served as moderator of the panel.

A lively discussion followed the presentations. The need for education, prevention, behaviour change, responsible behaviour and care and compassion for those infected with HIV were all addressed, as was access to affordable medicines.

Published 13/02/2012