|
|
Abstract
Heineken's response to AIDS; a research study to support the introduction of HAART provision for the workforce
J M Bausch, C Laurence, J Stover, K Foreit, S Forsythe
Futures Group, Bath, United Kingdom
Issues:
Heineken International sought long term assessment of the impact of AIDS on their business in both direct cost and indirect cost terms. They required analysis in three production locations in Africa and Asia to evaluate the impact and implications of offering highly active antiretroviral therapy to HIV-postive employees. Futures Group analysed both risks of providing HAART, of withholding provision, and the likely impact on Heineken's role as community leader and humanitarian employer.
Description:
In the first research stage, a team spent six weeks at production locations studing impact on staff, opeational costs and labour costs. In depth interviews were also conducted with local employees, managers, labour representatives and health providers to establish how the company was currently tackling HIV/AIDS and the associated costs as a basis for future comparison.
Futures Group created a specially adapted computor -based model, AIDS IMPACT MODEL to project how HIV/AIDS will affect the company over the next five and ten years. It developed estimates on numbers of Heineken staff and dependents were likely to become infected with HIV and projected the costs of the disease. The final stage was to compare this against AIDS prevention and care programme efficacy data to establish whether HAART inteventions would be cost effective and affordable.
Lessons Learned:
The study showed that risk factors associated with HAART are not limited to the cost of drug therapy itself. Although AIDS is a signifant cost to the company, indirect costs of not providing antiretroviral therapy may outweigh direct costs.
Recommendations:
Corporate entities wishing to fully analyse their approach to antiretroviral therapy and AIDS interventions must look at wider policy implications of their approach to health care.
Risk analyses must be undertaken to fully formulate a response to AIDS, from both indirect and direct cost perspectives.
The XIV International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
ThOrG1507
Suggested Citation
" J M Bausch, et al.
Heineken's response to AIDS; a research study to support the introduction of HAART provision for the workforce.
Oral Abstract:
The XIV International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
ThOrG1507"
|
|
|