HIV and AIDS in South Africa: Empowering Individuals to Make Widespread Change

Abstract For over three decades, the HIV and AIDS epidemic has been ravaging South Africa with only limited success in controlling the spread of the virus. Pre-exposure prophylaxis provides a novel opportunity simultaneously to progress toward the end of the epidemic and to empower marginalized groups by giving them more control over their health. This medication will serve a dual purpose by protecting individuals and beginning to unravel the sociocultural forces that allowed the epidemic to flourish at its onset.