Eradication of HIV in the USA: a Health Economics Perspective

Saskya Cabral

Master's thesis

Abstract:

From an economic perspective, better health leads to a maximization of individual utility and higher private welfare. Combined, private welfare will result in higher social welfare and an increase in social capital. Overall, the eradication of HIV is beneficial from all angles, from the individual to the whole nation in a psychological, sociological, economic, and biological perspective. We know that the supply in healthcare is usually slower to be provided than the request for services. This can be true for HIV care, where communities with the most need often experience a higher lack of services. In the US, this lack is seen in many geographic isolated areas far away from HIV health and social services providers in the city center with large racial and ethnic minority populations (Carey et. al, 2016). In order to tackle the HIV/AIDS problem, the government needs to promote policies towards aiding the uninsurance problem, educating people, providing funds to HIV/AIDS services, controlling medical care and drug prices, and working together with other policy & decision makers, healthcare providers, and stakeholders in all levels to efficiently deliver care to the communities in need. If solutions continue to be provided through innovation, different prevention methods are combined and applied at scale, if stigma and discrimination are dealt with, and key populations are reached, “eradicating HIV by 2030” might be achievable after all.

Abstract:

From an economic perspective, better health leads to a maximization of individual utility and higher private welfare. Combined, private welfare will result in higher social welfare and an increase in social capital. Overall, the eradication of HIV is beneficial from all angles, from the individual to the whole nation in a psychological, sociological, economic, and biological perspective. We know that the supply in healthcare is usually slower to be provided than the request for services. This can be true for HIV care, where communities with the most need often experience a higher lack of services. In the US, this lack is seen in many geographic isolated areas far away from HIV health and social services providers in the city center with large racial and ethnic minority populations (Carey et. al, 2016). In order to tackle the HIV/AIDS problem, the government needs to promote policies towards aiding the uninsurance problem, educating people, providing funds to HIV/AIDS services, controlling medical care and drug prices, and working together with other policy & decision makers, healthcare providers, and stakeholders in all levels to efficiently deliver care to the communities in need. If solutions continue to be provided through innovation, different prevention methods are combined and applied at scale, if stigma and discrimination are dealt with, and key populations are reached, “eradicating HIV by 2030” might be achievable after all.

Keywords

HIV, Economics, Health

Keywords

HIV, Health, Economics

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 24. 9. 2018

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 28. 5. 2019
• Supervisor: Tereza De Castro
• Reader: Jakub Jedlinský

Vysoká škola ekonomická v Praze

Master programme / field:
Mezinárodní ekonomické vztahy / International and Diplomatic Studies