PHA-Exchange> FUNAIDS, WHO Release Biannual Report on State of Global HIV/AIDS

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UNAIDS, WHO RELEASE BIANNUAL REPORT ON STATE OF GLOBAL HIV/AIDS

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 http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=14787

 UNAIDS and the World Health Organization today released the "AIDS Epidemic
Update," a biannual report on the state of HIV/AIDS worldwide, the
Associated Press reports.  According to the report, 42 million individuals
worldwide are currently living with HIV, approximately two million more than
last year.  Five million new infections occurred during 2002, and three
million individuals will die of AIDS-related causes this year.  In addition,
women now account for 50% of all HIV cases.  UNAIDS Executive Director Dr.
Peter Piot said that the shift of the HIV epidemic toward women will
"ultimately exacerbate" the spread of the virus because women can pass HIV
to their children during childbirth or through breastfeeding, the Associated
Press reports.  According to the report, sub-Saharan African is still "by
far" the region most affected by HIV/AIDS, and women in that region make up
70% of all HIV cases (Ross, Associated Press, 11/26).  According to Agence
France-Presse, the report also "warn[s]" China, India and other Asian
nations that their "window of opportunity" to control the HIV/AIDS epidemics
there is "narrowing rapidly."  The region currently has approximately 7.2
million HIV-positive individuals -- nearly one million more than last
year -- and 11 million more infections could occur there by 2007 "unless
concerted and effective action is taken to increase access to HIV prevention
and care in the region," according to the report (Agence France-Presse,
11/26).  The report also states that HIV/AIDS is "expanding rapidly" in
Eastern Europe ("AIDS Epidemic Update," UNAIDS/WHO, December 2002).  The
report is available online.