The State of Business and HIV/AIDS (2006) - Booz Allen Hamilton

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2 The Context for Business Involvement in HIV/AIDS
19 The Ethical Funds Company,
Canadian Energy and Mining
Companies and the HIV/
AIDS Epidemic—Bridging the
Chasm, 2005
20 UBS and F&C Asset
Management, HIV/AIDS
Beyond Africa: Managing the
Financial Impacts, 2005
opportunities take an economic toll. A 2005 study
pointedly reinforced the threat of HIV to human
capital, stating that the size of the labor force in 32
African countries will decrease by 5–35 percent by
2020 because of this pandemic. 19
The overall effect of the pandemic on business
results in a reduction of the wealth and development
potential of affected countries as fewer people
can work and prosper. A 2005 study 20 found that
HIV/AIDS will reduce growth potential in GDP for
Brazil, Russia, India, and China. For example, HIV/
AIDS will reduce China’s GDP growth by 1 percent
over the next 10 years. These 4 countries currently
account for 8 percent of global GDP and are
strategically important emerging markets for many
large multinationals. This effect on GDP, though
significant, does not capture the economic and
social impacts on the informal economy.
The ILO notes that certain industries and types of
work are more exposed or susceptible to the risk of
HIV infection, although the main issue is behavior
rather than occupation. A key occupational risk
factor is work involving mobility—in particular, regular
travel and living away from spouses and partners
in high prevalence countries. This risk factor was
underlined in our interviews with GBC members, who
cited truck drivers and those working in areas with
high levels of immigration or worker migration as
particularly at risk. Geographical isolation, single-sex
work environments, male-only living arrangements,
and limited health facilities are also important
contributing factors.
2.3 Industry Characteristics and
Considerations
Industries have responded to the HIV/AIDS crisis
in different ways. Many pharmaceutical companies
have been at the forefront by taking a lead in
building healthcare systems in the hardest hit
countries, providing training to increase capacity
of medical personnel, and increasingly supplying
certain drugs at no or low cost. Some of these
companies have also applied their logistics expertise
to help optimize the flow of medicine and materials
around the world. Others have partnered with
in-country organizations and collaborated with
governments to support education programs.
In other industries, many companies with large
workforces in high-risk areas (such as oil and gas,
mining, manufacturing, automotive) have developed
awareness, testing, and prevention programs for
their employees and instituted non-discrimination
policies for workers with HIV/AIDS. Some companies
have also invested in their own dispensaries,
health centers, and hospital facilities. Furthermore,
some have co-invested with local and national
organizations to provide awareness and prevention
campaigns to the community.
Companies have also used both media and
marketing to engage their consumers and creatively
fund HIV/AIDS programs. Media companies have
carried public service announcements and have
incorporated HIV-related storylines into TV programs
and print publications to spread awareness. Other
businesses have leveraged their advertising and
branding skills to advance HIV/AIDS prevention
and behavior change messages through innovative
cause related marketing campaigns. Financial, retail,
telecommunications, cosmetic and other products