HIV and AIDS: High Costs of Drugs and the Impact on Black Women
Well, the semester is back in full swing, and yes I am teaching again. I am actually teaching a freshman course with the overall theme, "Drugs: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" with 17 college freshman. Since this is a discussion-based course, every class period, I have two students come up with creative questions to discuss in class based on the reading. These young people are passionate and have really strong opinions. It is certainly quite entertaining to listen to these students express themselves.
My primary goal for the discussion was to ask the question is it fair that the cost of HIV and AIDS drugs are so high that poor countries cannot afford them? I pointed out to the students that many people right here in the United States cannot afford the high cost of these drugs as well. I did a brief internet search on some of these drugs and was shocked at the cost. As a chemist, I do understand that a lot of hard work goes into the development of drugs and getting them to the market. But, sometimes I think we forget about the "human" side of these issues. Everybody is not Earvin "Magic" Johnson, who has the money and resources to get access to quality health care and treatment.
Many students expressed that we are not doing enough to fight HIV and AIDS and more needs to be done. Moreover, a few stated that churches, schools, and parents need to be more proactive and talking with their kids about being responsible. I must say that I was quite proud to listen to these young people talk about such an important issue that continues to impact our society.
My primary goal for the discussion was to ask the question is it fair that the cost of HIV and AIDS drugs are so high that poor countries cannot afford them? I pointed out to the students that many people right here in the United States cannot afford the high cost of these drugs as well. I did a brief internet search on some of these drugs and was shocked at the cost. As a chemist, I do understand that a lot of hard work goes into the development of drugs and getting them to the market. But, sometimes I think we forget about the "human" side of these issues. Everybody is not Earvin "Magic" Johnson, who has the money and resources to get access to quality health care and treatment.
Many students expressed that we are not doing enough to fight HIV and AIDS and more needs to be done. Moreover, a few stated that churches, schools, and parents need to be more proactive and talking with their kids about being responsible. I must say that I was quite proud to listen to these young people talk about such an important issue that continues to impact our society.
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