INTRODUCTION

There is increasing evidence around the world of a heightened response by business to the spread of HIV/AIDS. Businesses are recognising the impact that the virus is having in terms of the human, financial and social costs to its operations and host communities. Even in countries where the virus has a low prevalence level, early action is essential to avoid serious impacts on economic activity and future markets. The response has manifested itself in many different ways, from action to protect workforces, to community outreach and philanthropy. Moreover, these efforts have not been undertaken in isolation but with the development of partnership on HIV prevention, education and care, between business, the public sector and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

This publication follows on from the report “Business Response to HIV/AIDS: Innovation and Partnerships” published in 1997. With the increased knowledge and experience of business responses available today, there is a need to update the available statistical information, to provide further evidence of the need for action, and to document new case studies.

Therefore, this report aims to provide assistance to business and associated partners in recognising the business case for further action against HIV/AIDS in the workplace and beyond. This is achieved through providing evidence of the impact that HIV/AIDS has on business activities and by highlighting the lessons learned from past and current responses. Guidance is provided in the form of policy tools, case studies and an examination of how to undertake successful partnerships in response to HIV/AIDS. This publication does not seek to provide standard models but tools to guide effective, efficient and needs-specific responses to HIV/AIDS. It is divided into five sections:

1. A summary of the background information on HIV/AIDS, facts and trends, followed by a brief description of the response to date by the public and non-governmental sectors.

2. A presentation of the impact that HIV/AIDS has on business, at the macroeconomic and individual company levels, providing the business case for early action against HIV/AIDS.

3. An overview of the broad areas of activity by business in response to HIV/AIDS, with guidance on how to undertake HIV/AIDS policies and programmes.

4. An examination of the factors that create and maintain successful partnerships in response to HIV/AIDS.

5. The provision of 17 profiles of business activities in response to the disease, identifying the key lessons learned and providing models of good practice.