Global Health Organizations - Research Paper Example

How has this organization impacted global health? Summarize at least one of the major initiatives.  The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS or UNAIDS was created to provide universal access to HIV treatment, prevention, care and support. It has nine priority areas, namely: (1) reduction of sexual transmission of HIV; (2) prevention of maternal death and transmission of HIV to infants; (3) provision of HIV treatment to victims; (4) prevention of death caused by HIV-related tuberculosis; (5) prevention of the spread of HIV among drug users; (6) abolishment of punitive laws, policies, practices, stigma, and discrimination which hinder effective AIDS initiatives; (7) prevent violence against women and girls; (8) empowerment of young people in relation to protection against HIV; and (9) enhancement of social protection for people affected by HIV (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS & World Health Organization, 2009).

UNAIDS has developed the Estimation and Projection Package or EPP, a tool used for creating national estimates and short-term projections of HIV prevalence. The EPP has been implemented by many national programmes since 2005. Using the figures generated by the tool, UNAIDS has combined national estimates to form the 2005 global HIV and AIDS estimates (Brown, Grassly, Garnett & Stanecki, 2006). 2. In what ways are the efforts of this group interdependent with those of other public health-related organization?

UNAIDS has a number of co-sponsors, namely: The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; United Nations Children’s Fund; World Food Programme; United Nations Development Programme; United Nations Population Fund; United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime; International Labour Organization; United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization; World Health Organization; and the World Bank. UNAIDS collaborates and coordinates HIV-related efforts with these agencies in the areas of human rights, mother and child welfare, food and nutrition, development and governance, sexual and reproductive health, education, treatment and care, and funding (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, 2011b). 3. Explain whether this organization is reaching its stated mission.

  As of 2009 there were 2.6 million new cases of HIV worldwide. UNAIDS is stepping up its efforts to reduce this number by identifying tools which can be utilized the spread of HIV and leading efforts towards a HIV-prevention revolution. Among the tools identified were: (1) treatment, care and support for HIV victims; (2) preventing vertical transmission; (3) male circumcision; (4) social and behavioural change communication; (5) focused efforts in key populations; (6) condom promotion and distribution; and (7) HIV-testing.

Championing a prevention revolution can be initiated by: focusing evidence-informed and rights-based efforts on key populations; support of protective laws, linkages with law enforcement, and access to justice; and garnering more support and funding for prevention and treatment research (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, 2011a). However, England (2008) argued that the UNAIDS has outlived its purpose and the arguments which has contributed to its creation is being challenged. Among the arguments being challenged is the status of HIV as disease of poverty, a developmental catastrophe, and an emergency which calls for special attention and measures.

The global HIV industry is described as an out of control monster with too many vested interests and reputations at stake. The author suggested that nations should focus more on creating better healthcare systems rather than raising funds for HIV initiatives. This translates to shifting $10 billion of HIV funds to scale-up general health budgets. References Brown, T., Grassly, N. C., Garnett, G. & Stanecki, K. (2006). Improving projections at the country level: the UNAIDS Estimation and Projection Package 2005.

Sexually Transmitted Infections, 82(S3), iii34-iii40. England, R. (2008). The writing is on the wall for UNAIDS. British Medical Journal, 336(7652), 1072. Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (2011a). AIDS at 30: Nations at the crossroads. Geneva, CHF: Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (2011b). UNAIDS co-sponsors. Retrieved from http://www.unaids.org/en/aboutunaids/unaidscosponsors/ Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS & World Health Organization (2009).

AIDS epidemic update: December 2009. Geneva, CHF: Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS.