tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3042432544909978057.post5072099630549474056..comments2020-10-14T07:28:02.624-07:00Comments on The Debate: Isn't it time we stopped patronising Africa?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3042432544909978057.post-55880010011326219122010-09-26T05:12:09.080-07:002010-09-26T05:12:09.080-07:00Very commendable Labba. A couple of minor points I...Very commendable Labba. A couple of minor points I wish to pick up on:<br><br>1) The use of media polls to demonstrate a point is unwise at best and can make everything seem less credible. People like a headline number, but these are often unrepresentative and misleading. They invariably have an ulterior motive (selling papers and making money!) and are conducted as such - meaning a suitably distorted result is achieved. That's not to say I don't agree with what you're saying, but I just think they are bad way of supporting a claim. I won't labour the point any more but one person who is good at debunking ridiculous media statistics is Ben Goldacre (e.g. http://www.badscience.net/2008/11/you-are-80-less-likely-to-die-from-a-meteor-landing-on-your-head-if-you-wear-a-bicycle-helmet-all-day/). <br><br>2) I feel you rather underplayed the significance of the problem of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 72% of the world’s AIDS-related deaths in 2008 (http://www.unaids.org/en/CountryResponses/Regions/SubSaharanAfrica.asp). [Hopefully the UN statistics are fairly credible - I hope their ulterior motive is to reduce the problem rather than to turn a profit.]<br><br>My point is not that people should not go to Africa because of this or tar the whole continent with the same brush, but that it does these people a disservice not to emphasise the extent of the problem and to spread awareness. Especially in forums such as these, where people may be in a position to help.<br><br>Also, I realise that in grouping lots of countries together as Sub-Saharan Africa I went against your excellent point. However it does make epidemiological sense.<br><br>Anyway nice one! I'll try my best to argue with scientific/statistical etc points to keep you on your toes!Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04117822648537233791noreply@blogger.com