Saving Life

Last June, the official in charge of UNICEF’s eastern and southern African operations declared that, in the name of AIDS prevention, condoms should be made available “for everybody, everywhere and at all times.” “Let us stop the almost metaphysical debate on the pros and cons of the use of condoms,” he continued, because “the use of condoms… has been a part of all known successes to reduce HIV infections.” Such is the philosophy of the international AIDS-prevention establishment: Only condoms can save the world from AIDS, so international funds should ensure that the people of the developing world are ever more securely swathed in latex.

There are, however, no condom “successes” in Africa. Something like 700 million condoms are shipped to the continent, year in and year out, courtesy of the U.N., the U.S., and the EU, yet infection rates remain stubbornly high. The UNICEF official approvingly cites Botswana’s commitment to condoms—“Let us follow the decision of the government of Botswana”—but about 35 percent of that country’s population is infected. That’s the example the rest of the world should follow?

DA

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Douglas A. Sylva

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AIDS

Public Health

Last June, the official in charge of UNICEF’s eastern and southern African operations declared that, in the name of AIDS prevention, condoms should be made available “for everybody, everywhere and at all times.” “Let us stop the almost metaphysical debate on the pros and cons of the use of condoms,” he continued, because “the use of condoms… has been a part of all known successes to reduce HIV infections.” Such is the philosophy of the international AIDS-prevention establishment: Only condoms can save the world from AIDS, so international funds should ensure that the people of the developing world are ever more securely swathed in latex.

There are, however, no condom “successes” in Africa. Something like 700 million condoms are shipped to the continent, year in and year out, courtesy of the U.N., the U.S., and the EU, yet infection rates remain stubbornly high. The UNICEF official approvingly cites Botswana’s commitment to condoms—“Let us follow the decision of the government of Botswana”—but about 35 percent of that country’s population is infected. That’s the example the rest of the world should follow?