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AIDS Epidemic Slowing Down, But the Disease Remains 'Exceptional Threat'


June 9, 2006 -- Twenty-five years after the first case of AIDS was reported, the epidemic appears to be slowing down globally, although infections are on the rise in certain regions and countries, according to a UNAIDS report. Important progress has also been made -- in the past five years funding has increased, more people were able to access treatment, and the amount of young people infected per year has slowed.

An estimated 38.6 million people live with HIV worldwide and 4.1 million were newly infected in 2005. New infections are declining in some of the hardest hit regions, including Haiti, Cambodia, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. However, outbreaks have gotten worse in China, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Russia, and Vietnam. The United Nations also fell short of meeting many of its goals in this area for 2005. For instance only 50 percent of young people have comprehensive understanding of HIV prevention, far from the goal of 90 percent. Also, only 9 percent of HIV-positive pregnant women have health coverage.

There are several National Academies reports on AIDS and HIV. Public Financing and Delivery of HIV/AIDS Care: Securing the Legacy of Ryan White examines the current standard of care for HIV patients and recommends an expanded federal treatment for the treatment of individuals with HIV, administered at the state level. Scaling Up Treatment for the Global AIDS Pandemic: Challenges and Opportunities outlines steps necessary to implement a rapid "scale-up" of antiretroviral therapy initiatives to meet larger needs of resource-poor countries heavily impacted by HIV/AIDS. Healers Abroad: Americans Responding to the Human Resource Crisis in HIV/AIDS explores potential strategies for mobilizing U.S. health personnel and technical experts to assist in the battle against HIV/AIDS in 15 African, Caribbean, and Southeast Asian countries highly affected by the disease.

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