The Political Environment of HIV in Australia - Essay Example

"The Political Environment of HIV in Australia "is a remarkable example of a paper on social and family issues.
It is an indisputable fact that HIV/AIDS is no less destructive and lethal than the great pandemonium created by a massive war. In the present age, HIV/AIDS education is one of the most critical weapons that can prove to be excessively efficacious against HIV/AIDS. (AVERT, 2011). A deep understanding of the positive changes that can be brought with a healthy socio-behavioral and political environment is critically important in an order to combat this disease that is affecting many in Australia presently.

Australia’s socio-behavioral response towards HIV/AIDS:

According to (Hardy, 2008), Australia is famous for maintaining a unique response to HIV/AIDS. Following the massive outbreak of HIV/AIDS in the 1980s that created much havoc, the Australian public and official administration managed in standing up against this disease that was rapidly prevailing in the country. They managed in achieving this feat as a result of which the level of this disease dwindled in Australia by bringing positive changes in socio-behavioral and political responses towards the infected community and relieving the social tension and discrimination against HIV/AIDS. It is entirely due to the effectiveness of Australia’s response to AIDS that while the number of HIV cases kept lowering in the country, it kept on increasing in other countries like the United States. Compulsory testing of patients was never practiced in the Australian hospitals in an order to respect privacy, remove the stigma associated with HIV, and show a deeper commitment towards the suffering patients.

Positive measures that are taken by Australian media to combat HIV/AIDS:

According to a report published by (UNAIDS, 2000), factors like societal norms, ethical values, cultural perceptions, and political attitude immensely influence the individual responses to HIV/AIDS. Such factors shape and modify the behavior of the public and political authorities towards people suffering from this disease. What phenomenally changed the attitude of the Australian public towards this lethal infection were the internationally acclaimed ads which were based on persuading the viewers to discard discrimination and show compassion towards the infected persons, so that the communication gap could be filled and understanding about HIV/AIDS could spread nationwide. (Lansdell, 1989).        

Political environment towards HIV/AIDS in Australia:

The political will and determination of the leaders and supreme authorities in a country play a phenomenal role in deciding the strategic plan for treatment, prevention, and cessation of catastrophic diseases like HIV/AIDS. Such positive political measures like infection control guidelines for AIDS were introduced, which required all the doctors to not avoid dealing with an HIV infected patient under any condition. (Lansdell, 1989). Compassion and persistence to remove stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS disease are the key positive elements displayed by the Australian political authorities. The Australian government’s use of mass media for raising general awareness about this lethal infection in the public has proved to be very efficacious in the country and has resulted in positive modification of the public’s attitude. This political approach of not only raising awareness but also targeting the social behaviors of the public towards the infected community has significantly reduced the prevalence of this disease that once seriously threatened the Australian nation.