One of the growing concerns in U.S. public health circles is the increase in the number of individuals infected with the HIV virus. The populations on the sharpest rise are young adults and African-Americans. Additionally, areas such as the Southeastern United States, known as the Bible Belt, are also seeing a dramatic rise in this virus. Given that the HIV/AIDS numbers were steadily declining for nearly a decade, it is alarming to see this disease once again on the rise. However, due to tremendous research funding, HIV is no longer the death sentence as it once was, allowing for ample treatment options for those infected to live healthy normal lives. Given the public’s awareness with this disease, the many services and policies in place to help those infected, and the better treatment options available, questions arise whether HIV and the individuals infected should remain a constant concern or if they should follow other chronic conditions such as Herpes and Hepatitis as something for the individual to monitor and treat.
For today’s debate you will argue
for individuals infected with HIV/AIDS to remain a special population in the United States, to be a focus for research funding, and to remain protected from public acknowledgement
