NEW YORK — According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2010 sub-Saharan Africa will have suffered 71 million deaths from AIDS. By comparison, the bubonic plague of the Middle Ages killed some 30 million people. These are staggering figures, particularly if one considers that deaths from AIDS are only one of the problems affecting African women and children.
Experts at the United Nations warn that most sub-Saharan countries will be unable to reach the Millennium health goals related for 2015, particularly those related to improved health for mothers and children.
Solving Africans' health and development problems need more than statements of good intention, promises of aid (often empty) or movie stars' adoption of African children. Yet, many diseases affecting children and adults can be addressed with minimum resources if they are used strategically.