India’s HIV/AIDS Response: The ART of Success
GS-2 Mains
Short Notes or Revision Notes
Question : Examine India’s response to HIV/AIDS, focusing on the evolution of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) access and the implementation of the Free ART Program.
HIV/AIDS Basics
- HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus attacks the immune system.
- Spreads through bodily fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluids, breast milk).
- Manageable with Antiretroviral Therapy (ART).
- First ART drug approved in 1987 (AZT).
Challenges of Early ART Access
- High cost and limited access in most countries (except some high-income ones).
- “Cocktail therapy” (HAART) emerged in 1996, but was expensive.
India’s Free ART Program (2004): A Landmark Decision
- Provided free ART to any adult living with HIV.
- ART not just about starting treatment, but also suppressing viral load to prevent transmission.
- Success:
- 82% of PLHIV know their status (as of 2023).
- 72% of PLHIV on ART.
- 68% of PLHIV virally suppressed.
- Annual new HIV infections declined by 48% (vs global 31% decline).
- Annual AIDS-related deaths declined by 82% (vs global 47% decline).
Challenges Remaining
- Delayed enrollment in ART programs:
- Many patients wait until CD4 count is very low (<200).
- Treatment adherence:
- Patients may stop taking medication after feeling better, leading to drug resistance.
- Need to address “loss to follow up.”
- Other challenges:
- Sustained ART supply in all regions.
- Private sector engagement in PLHIV care.
- Staff training and capacity building.
- Integration with other health programs (hepatitis, diabetes, mental health).
- Reduce preventable mortality through death reviews and advanced diagnostics.
Looking Ahead
- 20 years of free ART’s success can guide other public health programs.
- Example: Launching a free hepatitis C treatment initiative in India.
Neuroscience Reshaping Marketing Strategies in India
GS-3 Mains
Short Notes or Revision Notes
Question : Discuss the impact of neuroscience on marketing strategies in India, emphasizing the shift from traditional methods to neuromarketing techniques.
Leveraging Brain Science for Marketing
- Understanding Brain-Behavior:Neuroscience helps map the brain to predict human responses using data.
- Applications in India: Analyzing customer behavior for various products (e.g., life insurance) and designing effective online advertisements.
Neuroscience vs. Traditional Methods
- Traditional:Relies on surveys, which can be subjective and prone to bias.
- Neuroscience:Provides objective data through tools like EEG (Electroencephalogram) to measure brain activity and predict decision-making.
Neuromarketing Breakthroughs
- fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging):Used in the US to understand voter behavior based on brain activity triggered by ads.
- FACS (Facial Action Coding System):A potential tool for more accurate opinion polls in India’s polarized political landscape (more affordable than fMRI).
Neuromarketing Tools
- Electroencephalography (EEG):Measures brain’s electrical impulses to gauge emotional responses.
- Advancements: Wearable EEG technology can sense specific areas like the “pleasure point.”
- Other Methods:Techniques like heat maps can also be used for neuromarketing research.
The Players
- Progressive Digital Companies:Utilizing neuromarketing tools for informed decision-making.
- Market Research Consultants:Specializing in applying neuroscience to marketing.
- Academic Institutions (IITs, IIMs):Providing research support in this field.
Ethical Concerns
- Data Misuse:Potential for manipulating consumer behavior using Neuralink-like brain data.
- Informed Consent:Ensuring participants understand the implications of neuromarketing research, especially for minors.
- Privacy Protection:Developing robust protocols to safeguard sensitive consumer information.
Neuromarketing Code of Ethics
- Introduced by the Neuromarketing Science and Business Association (NMSBA).
- Focuses on areas like privacy, informed consent, and transparency.
Looking Ahead
- Advancements in brain-computer interfaces and deep brain stimulation necessitate strong privacy measures for consumer data.
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