Report: AIDS
could slow down India's economy

The AIDS epidemic currently plaguing India could do extensive damage to the country's economy if precautions aren't taken, a recently released study finds.

The National Council of Applied Economic Research's study warned that the nation's gross domestic product--currently 8%--could drop one full percentage point if steps aren't taken to curb infections. More than 5 million Indians are HIV-positive, and unless the epidemic is slowed, a decline in productivity, a strain on health care, and a shortage in the workforce could damage India's economy. (The Advocate)