Infectious diseases & the economy

[James Hoyt]

The diseases of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C are going to have a significant
impact on the economies of the world. Now, the number of people infected
and dying is impacting the economic structure of the world today. The
economics of this world is based on a very simple premise in that
tomorrow-there will be more people here than today. Within the next 10
years, the live-birth rate and death rate will be equal. In other words, a
major population decline will begin. Some may say that we need fewer people
on this planet, but a rapid change will impact everyone.

Many times, people only associate the cost of medical treatment as to the
total cost of a disease. However, that is only a very small part of the
costs. When the costs of 1) loss of productivity, 2) loss of buying
resources, and 3) loss of tax revenues, everyone will feel the economic
pressure from the dramatic loss of these people. Simply put, when you are
ill, you are directing your economic resources to medical care-not for
non-essential goods or services.

Learn more at http://www.heart-intl.net/ under the financial
section-socio-economic issues.

--
James Hoyt
HEART-http://www.heart-intl.net/
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens
can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever does."
-Margaret Mead