World AIDS Day 2009

Some have observed that there is growing global indifference when it comes to the fight against HIV/AIDS even though the epidemic continues to rage on. As part of World AIDS Day 2009, I just wanted to highlight some figures from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV (UNAIDS) to reflect on how the HIV/AIDS epidemic has impacted on our world:

• Since the beginning of the epidemic, almost 60 million people have been infected with HIV and 25 million people have died of HIV-related causes.

• In 2008, some 33.4 million [31.1 million-35.8 million] people living with HIV,
• 2.7 million[2.4 million-3.0 million] new infections and
• 2 million [1.7 million-2.4 million] AIDS-related deaths.

• In 2008, around 430 000 [240 000-610 000] children were born with HIV, bringing to 2.1 million [1.2 million-2.9 million] the total number of children under 15 living with HIV.

• Young people account for around 40% of all new adult (15+) HIV infections worldwide.

• Sub-Saharan Africa is the region most affected and is home to 67% of all people living with HIV worldwide and 91% of all new infections among children.

• In sub-Saharan Africa the epidemic has orphaned more than 14 million children

Sobering facts and harsh realities. 


Also in the news about HIV/AIDS in Africa:

• South Africa's Jacob Zuma praised for new AIDS approach
  

• South African army fights HIV stigma by allowing HIV positive South African soldiers to be  to be deployed overseas if they pass a battery of fitness tests.
  

• Uganda proposes death penalty for HIV positive gays. 

• Women and girls remain the worst affected by HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for 60 percent of the overall HIV infections.
  

Progression and regression in the fight against HIV on the continent?