Final answer:
The difference in the number of HIV/AIDS survivors between the United States and Africa is due to better access to medical care, treatments, and socio-economic factors in the U.S., while Africa struggles with limited resources, stigma, and legal challenges.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first country in the New World to experience a high incidence of HIV/AIDS was the United States. The difference in the number of survivors with HIV infections and AIDS between the U.S. and Africa can be largely attributed to the availability of medication, the level of development of health care systems, and socio-economic factors. In Africa, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS is devastating due to limited access to treatments that are more readily available in the developed world.
By the year 2000, treatments had emerged that transformed HIV from a lethal disease to a manageable condition in the developed world. Conversely, in many parts of Africa, stigma, legal penalties, and a lack of resources have hampered the effective treatment and management of HIV/AIDS. Despite successes in reducing the overall epidemic through strategies like condom use, circumcision, and public information campaigns, the challenge remains significant.
Factors contributing to more HIV/AIDS survivors in the U.S. include advanced medical care, comprehensive education, and stronger social services. Medical advancements, such as antiretroviral therapy, help prolong the lives of those infected in developed nations, while such treatments are less accessible in African countries. The result is a higher survival rate in the U.S. despite having a significant number of affected individuals.