In 2002, Sierra Leone emerged from a decadelong civil war. Seeking international attention and development aid, its government faced a dilemma. Though devastated by conflict, Sierra Leone had a low prevalence of HIV. However, like most African countries, it stood to benefit from a large influx of foreign funds specifically targeted at HIV/AIDS prevention and care. In HIV Exceptionalism Adia Benton chronicles how Sierra Leone reoriented itself as a country suffering from HIV at the expense of other, more pressing health concerns.
