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AFRICA: Economic impact of HIV/AIDS gloomy

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

JOHANNESBURG, 29 September (PLUSNEWS) - HIV/AIDS could cause greater long-term damage to African economies than was previously assumed, a new World Bank study has found.

The report argues that the pandemic could lead to the collapse of economies by weakening the ability of today's generation to pass on its skills and knowledge to the next.

"It is primarily a disease of young adults. As these infected adults become progressively sick and weak, they steadily lose their ability to work," the report said.

Loss of income due to disability and early death reduced the lifetime resources available to the family, which could result in children spending much less time, if any at all, at school.

"Previous estimates overlooked the impact of HIV/AIDS on children if one or both parents die; how they can suddenly become orphans; how can they become vulnerable to dropping out of school," Shanta Devarajan, chief economist and co-author of the report at the Bank's human development network, confirmed.

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