HIV/AIDS Through an Anthropological Lens

HIV/AIDS Through an Anthropological Lens focuses on the global pandemic that has a profound impact on the world we are living in today. In many parts of the world, the infection has severely eroded the political, economic, and social fabric. This book provides an answer to how we can better understand the issue of HIV/AIDS in order to curb its transmission. It shows that it is not merely a medical problem, but is also a complex social, political, and economic problem that crystallizes class distinction, gender inequality, power hierarchy, and cultural beliefs. HIV/AIDS Through an Anthropological Lens discusses different approaches to HIV/AIDS, from the perspective of epidemiology, culture, and political economy, to culture and political economy. The goal is to give young people a sense of empowerment through helping them to understand the political, social, and economic forces that have shaped their consciousness and their behavior. Features: Chapter summaries Discussion questions Eight case studies Chapter review questions