A historical analysis of the AIDS epidemic in South Africa

This historical analysis examines a public health crisis which has impacted every aspect of society in South Africa—the HIV and AIDS epidemic. The research reviews the specific factors that contributed to the severity of the AIDS epidemic in South Africa from 1985 through 2010. South Africa is presently the nation with more individuals infected by HIV than any other nation in the world. The impact of HIV and AIDS will continue to affect South Africa for generations to come through the millions of orphans left in the virus' wake. The factors that impacted the severity of the AIDS epidemic in South Africa were largely of human creation. Though it would likely have been impossible to prevent an epidemic of considerable size, as has been experienced throughout the rest of the continent of Africa, the policies, practices and decisions of government leaders in South Africa were undeniable players in the unfathomable toll that AIDS has taken. Implications for social work practice are discussed