Spotlight on HIV and Hep C | |
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HIV and hepatitis C. Policy, discrimination, legal and ethical issues. Australasian Society for HIV Medicine. Sydney: ASHM, 2005 (136 pp). ISBN 1 920773 20 7. |
Australia’s response
to the threat posed by HIV and hepatitis C is recognised as one of the most effective and comprehensive in the developed world. The Australasian Society for HIV Medicine’s book, however, highlights that there are a number of issues that still need to be addressed.
HIV and hepatitis C provides a veritable “cook’s tour” of these issues. A collection of essays, it provides an excellent historical description of the differing responses to the two viruses, and analyses the factors contributing to these. It also highlights the challenges faced in light of the contemporary conservative views on substance use. The essays provide a good description of how the gay community mobilised its resources to develop an enabling environment which facilitated a comprehensive response, something that illicit drug users have not been able to achieve. HIV and hepatitis C highlights the need to learn from historical lessons and to focus on the rights of all marginalised communities. Among the essays are some good overviews of a diverse range of issues from various perspectives. The application of the Ottawa Charter to the contemporary Australian context is particularly valuable from a health promotion perspective. Useful insights are provided into issues of discrimination in the workplace, the legislative framework adopted in order to reduce the public health threat of the viruses, HIV and pregnancy, the impact of immigration laws on people with HIV, and the range of ethical issues relating to the search for a vaccine for HIV. All in all, the book contains some perceptive essays which should prove valuable to students seeking an introduction to the broad range of issues associated with HIV and hepatitis C, as well as health professionals and policy makers seeking to gain a better understanding of the complexity of the issues. Peter V Lucas
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