Say the unsayable: countries get the HIV epidemics they deserve

Hmm, the general direction of this argument is uncomfortably close to, "gays get the HIV epidemic they deserve" (even for some of the same reasons this article cites).<p>In both cases we could probably have more rational discussions without that "deserve" word, which involves moral connotations. How about discussing: what kinds of sexual-relationship graphs are more or less conducive to the spreads of which kinds of disease?<p>I would guess there are actually a lot of factors, and more than unprotected promiscuity. Clearly unprotected promiscuity seems involved: the article's discussion of some recent African experience points that out, and so does the 80s gay bathhouse culture. But there are plenty of promiscuous cultures that appear <i>not</i> to have high HIV prevalence, e.g. college-student bar-pickup and frat culture has very low HIV infection rates, even for people with 30+ partners and regular unprotected sex.

The Vatican and their anti birth control stance should also receive a fair share of the blame. Matter of fact, I think the pope should be charged with crimes against humanity for this stance.

I seem to recall research indicating that strict monogamy is associated with higher incidence of HIV than more sexually liberated societies. The reason seems to be that in strict societies, in the absence of casual sexual encounters, many males frequent prostitutes, who become hyper-connected vectors of disease. With more casual sexual encounters, the graph is less connected.<p>And in polygamous cultures, there's a lack of women to go around, so there should be a similar dynamic re prostitution.<p>Of course, it's not all this simple - there are lots of factors at work.

I don't think "deserve" is the word to use here. They get the epidemics that their cultures perpetuate, sure, but that happens everywhere.<p>I hear Mormonism is rampant in Salt Lake City..

What an idiotic premise. Nobody deserves to die from having sex.

I think this is nonsense. I doubt that the Southern Part of Africa is more promiscuous than West Africa or Brazil or Sweden.<p>Yet the difference in infection rates are massive. And why does a warzone like Liberia have 1.7% infection rates?<p>See my post on this: <a href="http://blog.cubeofm.com/suprising-facts-about-aids-in-2010" rel="nofollow">http://blog.cubeofm.com/suprising-facts-about-aids-in-2010</a><p>To quote from the UN report:<p>"There has been a pervasive stereotype that in countries where men have multiple concurrent partners, there is a higher rate of AIDS. Well, according to the UN paper, "there is no significant correlation between prevalence of sexual concurrency and HIV prevalence at the country or community level."<p>That article is just wrong.

"over half a billion dollars of PEPFAR money a year, in part to promote abstinence, monogamy and condom use"<p>I am a bit surprised to hear that Americans pay other countries to promote abstinence and monogamy.<p>Also, men in power everywhere have lots of sex, it is natures way. I don't think the president single-handedly infected the nation with HIV. Not that I have any sympathies for him, just saying.<p>I always felt it was hypocritical to demand a pure christian marriage life from presidents.

To be fair in the past the west took advantage of Africa, often saying it was for their own good. So look at the current plight with a bit of history and it makes sense why they don't trust the west.<p>No one certainly deserves to have an epidemic.

I just want to point out this has (virtually? completely?) nothing to do with "hackers" -- and that's a good thing. It's nice to have a little variety on Hacker News from time to time. Thanks for posting this.

Note that this is _not_ necessarily true on a personal level (the adulterous-partner argument).

I'd like to put it a bit differently: you never get what you <i>deserve</i>; you get what you <i>take</i> - and in the south of Africa, they've really been grabbing hands full of AIDS the past two decades.<p>There's an old saying that fits this metaphorically: <i>"you reap what you sow".</i> Please enjoy your harvest. Let forth finally a smaller generation, of better health.