Infectious Diseases

Abstract The burden of infectious disease cases and deaths falls most heavily on low-income countries. This chapter describes structural inequities and the disproportionate burden of infectious diseases on the poor and provides many examples. It addresses roots and underlying factors, including inadequate support for public works and infrastructure, inadequate protection of social and economic rights, poverty, violence, and inadequate access to medical care and antibiotics. The authors assert that addressing the differential prevalence of infectious diseases requires a holistic approach that incorporates the social determinants of health and promotes prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. The chapter describes in detail the global AIDS movement and its accomplishments. The authors conclude that human suffering due to infectious disease can be alleviated if social injustice is comprehensively addressed. A text box describes a man with tuberculosis who eventually dies of the disease because of inadequate access to quality medical care and necessary medications.