AIDS was first identified in 1981, and HIV, the causative agent of AIDS, was identified and isolated two years later. Not only is this virus known to have life-threatening clinical consequences due to the damage it causes to the immune system, but HIV also promotes the development of other opportunistic diseases that would otherwise be controlled by the body. These include tuberculosis, certain types of skin cancer, pneumonia and recurrent diarrhea. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on 'Why violent video games should not be banned'?Get the original essayHIV appears to have become widespread in the late 1970s among men and women with multiple partners, especially in East and Central Africa, as well as among male populations and drug users in some urban areas of the Americas, Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Today, the virus is spreading in all countries and the majority of cases concern heterosexual individuals. Whether in relative or absolute terms, sub-Saharan Africa is the region of the world most affected by the epidemic. Of the 22 million adults affected by HIV at the end of 1996, 14 million were from this part of Africa, which represents more than 60% of the global total. AIDS has complex and far-reaching effects on the functioning of African societies. For many reasons, it is impossible, and even dangerous, to view HIV exclusively as a public health problem. In the affected countries, the epidemic has a devastating impact on the entire social body. Not only does it disrupt the living conditions of individuals and communities, but it also undermines key political, social and economic institutions necessary for countries' development. It also affects sensitive aspects of social life: the relationship with illness and death, sexuality, family and motherhood, or even drug use. For these reasons, it is systematically associated with issues related to tradition, morality, social rules and religious norms. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Additionally, the epidemic is also a political issue. The fight against AIDS is above all a question of will and commitment of the government. No effective response can be provided without strong government action. If everyone agrees in principle to declare AIDS as one of the major priorities of the beginning of the millennium for future developing countries, in reality numerous obstacles still significantly reduce the intensity of the epidemic and the response. public..