China AIDS Death Toll Up Nearly 20,000 in a Year

State media said Nov. 29 the official estimate for reported AIDS deaths in China increased by almost 20,000 this year.

Citing Health Ministry data, China Central Television said cumulative AIDS deaths in the country reached 68,315 by the end of October, compared with 49,845 reported deaths at the end of October 2009.

The number of Chinese living with HIV/AIDS tallies 370,393, compared with a ministry figure of 319,877 in 2009. The ministry has previously given a parallel estimate of 740,000 people living with HIV/AIDS, which includes estimates of unreported cases.

The State Council recently said China's HIV/AIDS epidemic is "still grave" and vowed increased testing for the virus and improved access to antiretroviral drugs for those in need. Top officials also pledged to crack down on prostitution and illegal drugs as well as increase public education about HIV/AIDS.

The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.


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