Dead of AIDS and Forgotten in Potter’s Field
This semester you learned about the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and their impact on today’s society globally. For this assignment, you are to read the New York Times article “Dead of AIDS and Forgotten in Potter’s Field” by Corey Kilgannon and create a PowerPoint presentation for the director and their public health team of your state Department of Health requesting their assistance in addressing the stigmas associated with the burial of AIDS recipients corpses at Hart Island, NY to the general public. In your PowerPoint presentation you are to include the following:
-Provide a detailed description of HIV/AIDS inclusive of facts on the symptoms, signs, screening treatment, and prevention options
-Provide 1-2 theories developed by researchers about the origins and spread of HIV
-Provide a detailed description of the methods of HIV transmission
-Provide a historical overview of the AIDS epidemic in New York City
-Provide a historical overview of Hart Island. Talk about how members of the public and healthcare entities obtain access to Hart Island
-Discuss the challenges Hart Island face due to the increase of unclaimed bodies being dumped at the location. Specifically, the unclaimed AIDS recipient corpses
-Provide 1-2 solutions on how to remedy the challenges caused by the influx of AIDS recipient corpses dumping
-Create a plan of action discussing how to address the stigma surrounding the burial of AIDS recipient corpses
-Discuss if there are any financial requirements associated with implementing your solutions.
Sample Solution
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are two of the most serious global health threats today. They are caused by a virus that attacks the human body’s immune system, leaving it vulnerable to a number of infections and illnesses. HIV/AIDS is primarily transmitted through sexual contact, although it can also be spread through sharing needles, blood transfusions, and from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth.The exact origin of HIV remains unknown but researchers believe that it originated in Africa in the mid-20th century from chimpanzees infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). It then slowly spread across the world as people moved and traveled. By 1981 AIDS had been identified as an emerging infectious disease in the United States, primarily within homosexual communities. Since then it has become a major global public health issue with over 35 million deaths recorded worldwide since its discovery.
Early symptoms of HIV infection include fever, fatigue, sore throat and swollen lymph nodes but may take years before they appear or can be accurately diagnosed due to their similarity with other common illnesses. There is no known cure for HIV/AIDS however there have been many advances made in treatments which involve antiretroviral therapy (ART), where combinations of different medications are used to slow down progression of the virus and help keep viral load low enough so that transmission risk is reduced even further. Prevention measures such as proper use of condoms during intercourse can help reduce chances for contracting or spreading HIV/AIDS effectively as well behaviors such as abstinence or monogamy with someone who is known to not be infected with HIV/AIDs can also greatly reduce risk levels significantly .
Hart Island in New York City has recently come into focus due to its role in housing unclaimed corpses including those who have died from AIDS related illness whose families either weren't able or weren't willing to claim their bodies for burial purposes at traditional funerary locations.. This influx has caused considerable stress on an already fragile infrastructure on Hart Island where corpse storage facilities are overcrowded leading them prone too potential leakage issues which could lead contaminated water run off into surrounding areas potentially putting nearby residents at risk if proper safety protocols aren’t followed closely enough The island itself isn't entirely accessible either making visitation nearly impossible unless one goes through special channels which only serve certain groups like family members eager for closure after losing loved ones who succumbed to AIDS related illness . Furthermore , there exist multiple stigmas about people suffering from this disease especially when it comes time for burial rites leading some healthcare professionals involved in deciding how these funerary arrangements might progress often times feeling uncomfortable about finding solutions due lack information available about appropriate handling procedures for deceased AIDS victims
In order ensure that all state laws regarding safe interment practicesare upheld alongwith limiting any potential damage done within affected communities ,it would be wisefor Directorand his teamto collaborate closelywith local representatives including those working Hart Islandin order develop appropiate solutions addressingthe challenges posed bythe influxofunclaimedcorpses being disposedthere whilealso creating awareness campaigns targeted towards reducing stigma associatedwithburial rites particularilythose involvingdeceasedsufferingfrom AIDSRelatedillnessThis includes enacting legislative reforms allowing families easier access visitingtheirlovedones providingeducational material instructingproperhandlingprotocolsandbetterunderstanding lifecycleofdiseaseIn additionfinancial resourcescouldbeutilized formingtaskforces addressimmediateissueswhilealsoprovidingfunding longterm initiatives prioritize publichealthsafety
It's importantthat Directorand histeamaddress thisissueas soonaspossible seeinghow livesareatriskasthe currentinfluxofunattendedcadavers continuesgrowFurthermore takingactionthiswillhelp preventfurtherdamage doneeither directlyorto reputation departmentstatewideOverallthrough collectiveefforts safeprotocolscouldbedeveloped ensuringnobodyput unnecessarly harmespeciallywhenithappenstothemostvulnerableamongus