Problematising the Discourse of 'Post-AIDS'.

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Public Health
• Medical Anthropology

Background:

• The notion of a "post-AIDS" era is increasingly discussed, particularly in the Global North.
• This narrative often centers on biomedical advancements and access to antiretroviral therapy (ART).
• However, the lived realities of HIV/AIDS globally remain complex and multifaceted.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically examine the concept of "post-AIDS" in both the Global North and South.
• To explore the ongoing influence of economic, social, and cultural determinants on living with HIV/AIDS.
• To highlight shared experiences of stigma and chronicity despite differing resource contexts.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis and synthesis of contemporary arguments on the "post-AIDS" discourse.
• Drawing on the experiences of living with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Comparative reflection on HIV/AIDS in the Global North and South.

Main Results:

• The "post-AIDS" concept is deemed misplaced, often rooted in a limited biotechnical perspective.
• Access to ART has not eradicated the fundamental impact of economic factors, social practices, and cultural norms on HIV.
• Living with HIV/AIDS is characterized by ongoing complexity, significant stigma, and chronicity in both Global North and South.

Conclusions:

• The "post-AIDS" narrative, reliant on a Western biomedical "positive progress" discourse, fails to capture the persistent realities of HIV/AIDS.
• Despite resource differences, the experience of living with a highly stigmatized, incurable illness creates a shared reality for individuals globally.
• A more nuanced understanding is required, acknowledging the enduring social, economic, and cultural dimensions of HIV/AIDS worldwide.