This class was exactly what I thought it would be. There were no surprises about the covered material; it was all very straightforward. I didn't think there would be in-depth coverage of the immune system, but I think learning about it is pretty important when dealing with sexual health. I also didn't expect to have a speaker about the social systems of oppression usually covered in women studies classes, which I thought was really interesting. I liked all the guest speakers--I think they gave lots of new perspectives on different subjects, especially HIV+ Bob Skinner.
The most useful information we covered was probably the systems of oppression because dealing with them is one of the first steps toward a healthier population not just in the US but all around the world as well. I can't think of anything particularly useless that we learned in class because everything pretty much had to be brought up, from the different STI's, transmission, treatments, social systems, countries around the world, America's progress, practicing safer sex, the list goes on and on. It all had something to do with AIDS and STI's and leaving them out wouldn't really have any positive aspects.
Something that could be changed next time is the format of the lecture. I liked watching the few videos we had, and it would be nice to have less powerpoint lectures and more activities or other modes of teaching. I definitely think this subject needs to be taught at the university level because I didn't learn even half as much as I did in middle or high school. This subject is easier taught in front of more mature, open-minded students who actually have an idea of what is being talked about. I really enjoyed this class.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Bob Skinner: Guest Speaker
I honestly did not think that the medication we have today to treat HIV/AIDS was so effective and advanced; Bob Skinner is living proof of that. I was impressed to learn that medication in the US consisted of only two small pills (albeit EXPENSIVE ones)--soon to be reduced to one powerful pill. That was pretty amazing. Skinner also showed us just how expensive each pill was ($25 a pill!), and I couldn't imagine having to pay thousands of dollars a month for the rest of my life, most likely without a job and living under intense stigma... But I learned that an HIV+ person can actually live a normal life if they can manage to push past all those obstacles and move on, like Bob.
Unfortunately, I think Bob's experience living with HIV is very different from people living around the globe. The US has access to so many more resources and information than in third-world countries with populations at extreme risk of infection. First of all, the way in which Bob contracted HIV was much different than most in other countries; Bob practiced risky behavior in his youth, while many people around the world have no other choice but to engage in those behaviors--either for survival or to appease their spouses (usually women have to please their husbands). Many people in other countries also have no access to medical help/medication or can't afford it, while the situation is less severe here in America.
HIV is transmitted particularly via heterosexual relationships in rural areas, similar to how HIV is being transmitted most often in male and female relationships here in the US. In rural countries around the world, most women in a relationship cannot even ask their partners to wear a contraceptive because: a) the man feels like she does not trust him and/or b) the man accuses her of cheating on him because she obviously has an STI. Control in sexual relationships is so one-sided that high transmission rates are unavoidable.
Living in rural regions definitely makes treating HIV difficult because of the intense stigmatization and lack of resources. Clinics may be inaccessible (too far away, too expensive, etc.), ruling out a good percent of infected, poor patients from rural areas. Many people around the world can't go to a clinic for testing even if it were available because of the fear that they will be discovered by their peers and become an outcast.
Unfortunately, I think Bob's experience living with HIV is very different from people living around the globe. The US has access to so many more resources and information than in third-world countries with populations at extreme risk of infection. First of all, the way in which Bob contracted HIV was much different than most in other countries; Bob practiced risky behavior in his youth, while many people around the world have no other choice but to engage in those behaviors--either for survival or to appease their spouses (usually women have to please their husbands). Many people in other countries also have no access to medical help/medication or can't afford it, while the situation is less severe here in America.
HIV is transmitted particularly via heterosexual relationships in rural areas, similar to how HIV is being transmitted most often in male and female relationships here in the US. In rural countries around the world, most women in a relationship cannot even ask their partners to wear a contraceptive because: a) the man feels like she does not trust him and/or b) the man accuses her of cheating on him because she obviously has an STI. Control in sexual relationships is so one-sided that high transmission rates are unavoidable.
Living in rural regions definitely makes treating HIV difficult because of the intense stigmatization and lack of resources. Clinics may be inaccessible (too far away, too expensive, etc.), ruling out a good percent of infected, poor patients from rural areas. Many people around the world can't go to a clinic for testing even if it were available because of the fear that they will be discovered by their peers and become an outcast.
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