HIV/AIDS and globalization - what is the epidemic telling us about economics, morality and pragmatism?

Disease epidemics have been related as both cause and effect to increasing integration of human economies, societies, and cultures throughout history. It is well known that infectious diseases are not equally distributed between different societies and different sections of the same society. This is clear on a global scale where disparities in exposure to infection and access to public health provision and health care are acute. There is a debate as to the meaning and effects of "globalization" as well as about whether it is "new" and, if so, in what ways. This paper briefly examines (a) the history of disease in relation to globalization; (b) the meanings and importance of "globalization"; (c) where and how the global HIV/AIDS epidemic fits into the picture; (d) some of the theoretical and ideological implications.