AIDS epidemic update: special report on HIV prevention

2005 update on the AIDS epidemic

This report, produced by UNAIDS and the World Health Organization (WHO) provides the most recent updates on the AIDS epidemic. Findings show that there are currently over 40 million people living with HIV worldwide, with almost 5 million newly infected in 2005 and over 3 million deaths as a result of AIDS. The report details regional statistics and trends. It outlines how sub-Saharan Africa remains the hardest hit with almost 26 million people living with HIV. Moreover, nearly 77 per cent of all women living with HIV live in sub-Saharan Africa, as an increasing number of women are affected by the disease. The report also points to a growing epidemic in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

The report outlines how HIV prevention has slowed the growth of the epidemic in some countries such as Uganda, Thailand, Kenya and Haiti. However, the report argues that this prevention needs intensifying to address the current climate. It highlights 12 essential policy actions in the UNAIDS Policy Paper for Intensifying HIV Prevention. The report also highlights innovative prevention methods which could provide access to prevention for all. These include: the female condom, male circumcision, microbicides, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and vaccines. [adapted from author]

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AIDS epidemic update: special report on HIV prevention