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Worldwide, new HIV infections are trending downward, but progress against the disease is unevenly distributed across the globe, according to a UN report released to coincide with World AIDS Day.In 2009, approximately 2.6 million new cases of HIV were diagnosed, down about 20 percent from the annual peaks seen in the late 1990s.
Africa, with the highest prevalence of HIV in the world, also has seen some dramatic improvements in addressing the epidemic. New infections among South African youths are down 50 percent, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe said. He credited the drop to more open communication about sexuality between parents and children and to the waning popularity of taking multiple sex partners.
"In 59 countries we surveyed, only 25 percent said they had had more than one partner in the last year. That is a big shift," Sidibe said. He noted that prevention efforts have become more strategic, with successful campaigns targeted at high-risk groups such as sex workers and long-haul truckers.
In addition, a "sea change" in attitudes toward men who have sex with men has allowed for effective prevention campaigns targeted at populations that once were driven underground.
Major challenges, though, are reported in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, where HIV is associated with injection drug users and their sexual partners.
The global number of people with HIV, 33.3 million, reflects a growing epidemic, but also the impact of widespread use of antiretroviral therapy. In assessing progress against the epidemic, UNAIDS noted that previously for every 100 people on HIV therapy, 250 became newly infected. Today, for every 100 people on treatment, new infections total 200.
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.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
