Inequality and communicable diseases

An important area that remains to be explored, and where lessons may be drawn from other examples, is the relationship between inequality and communicable disease. Experience from China illustrates the need to attend to factors that make people vulnerable to infection with HIV. Blood transfusions, either for medical treatment or through selling blood were initially a major source of HIV infection in China. Many were ignorant of the risks of HIV infection through blood transfusions. Others were aware of the risks, but chose to ignore them. The government has subsequently instituted measures to make the blood supply much safer. However, many factors that exposed certain social groups to high risks of infection persist. How should policy responses address the complexities of vulnerability, inequality and the nature of communicable disease?