The global rise in food prices is forcing people in Ethiopia to give up such nutritional staples as vegetables and eggs, compromising a healthy diet. However, for people living with HIV in the country, poor nutrition may create an even greater risk, PlusNews reports (plusnews.org, 6/23).
“ART [antiretroviral treatment] can’t work if people aren’t eating enough; this is where food prices impact more strongly on [positive people],” United Nations World Food Program (WFP) coordinator Gideon Cohen told PlusNews. Food prices in the sub-Saharan African country have risen 40 percent in the past year.
According to the article, a lack of food—coupled with a severe and ongoing drought—has rendered many HIV-positive Ethiopians too weak to work and support their families. Nearly 8 percent of the country’s urban population is living with the virus.
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Richard, Piedmont, 2008-06-26 10:31:16
People with HIV have so much hard times with buying food in the USA as well. I just get $66.00 in food stamps to get food that all I live on because of Gas prices take my cash to drive 3 hours to my doctors in St. Louis, Mo.. They keep on cutting on help for us and the rich still get what they want. I am living in a small farm town that have no clue about HIV. I had a flood this year most of the town was flooded out and after it happen I did not get any help on cleaning up.
"I'm HIV positive and diabetic (as well as have high cholesterol) and some of my meds specify taking them with 'high fat foods' which I have to do twice a day. I've eaten as healthy as possible, but when it comes to high fat foods, I am in a quandary...about what to eat sometimes..."
