Book Launch: Economics and HIV. The sickness of Economics

[Zhana Books]

Greetings, all.

Economics and HIV. The sickness of Economics by Deborah Johnston, SOAS offers an insight, for both economists and development practitioners generally, into why economics has largely failed to provide useful insights on the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa.  Two broad themes are discussed.  First, how does the character of the economic system increase (or reduce) HIV risk? 

After a failed attempt to situate 'development' as a panacea for HIV, more recent attempts from mainstream economics seek to 'incentivise' HIV risk reduction through cash transfers. However, this view, with its roots firmly in homo economicus, is equally likely to fail. Second, why does mainstream economics suggest that such a serious health condition will have almost no economic impact? 

Standard impact assessments of AIDS suggest that it will do little to affect economic growth and may even increase welfare.  The reasons for such perverse findings will be discussed and an alternative perspective offered.

Deborah Johnston is a Reader in Development Economics, Economics department at SOAS and her research focuses on the analysis and measurement of poverty, the working of rural labour markets, agrarian change and rural development and the socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS.

The launch will be held at SOAS in London on 23 October 2013 at 6pm. 

Followed by Reception, RSVP to c...@soas.ac.uk

Click here for more BHM events in London and around the UK. 

Click here for a recent blog on HIV and mental wellbeing. 

Regards,
Zhana