Introduction to a special issue on international perspectives on HIV/AIDS in the schools: Neuropsychological and psychoeducational implications

Abstract

Although it has been about fifty years since we learned how human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is transmitted and leads to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), it continues to be a global pandemic with different incidence levels around the world. These differences, in part, are driven by the resources and governmental policies available to prevent HIV as well as by unique cultural factors. The purpose of this special issue is to explore how school psychologists and educators around the world are coping with pediatric HIV in schools from a neuropsychological and psychoeducational perspective. This includes intervention, prevention, and the influence of culture and governmental policies. Countries were selected to represent different parts of the world as well as some with very high incidence levels; this included Kenya, the United States, South Africa, India, and China. The special issue concludes with a call to action.