HIV/AIDS causes debilitating illness and premature death, often during the prime years of life. The disease has devastated families and communities. Further, HIV/AIDS has complicated efforts to improve health and promote development by diminishing a person’s ability to support his or her family; increasing household medical expenses; deepening socioeconomic and gender disparities; decreasing opportunities for education among children forced to leave school to care for family members; and straining community resources, including hospitals, social services, schools and businesses.
