World Bank warns of AIDS economic crisis

Some African countries may face complete collapse as a reult of the economic impact of HIV/AIDS being far worse than was previously thought. The World Bank's newly-released "The Long-Run Economic Costs of AIDS," study has warned that HIV/AIDS could destroy an economy within a few generations. Shanta Devarajan, World Bank economist, said in a statement: "If nothing is done to avert the epidemic, countries like South Africa could suffer a 50 percent decline in their per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in about 90 years." Using decades of South African data as a basis, the study also found that most forecasts on the macroeconomic costs of HIV/AIDS had overlooked the long-term damage of the disease. "This report confirms how important it is for policymakers to act swiftly and effectively to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, and to treat those with the disease," the study's co-author, Clive Bell, confirmed.