PHA-Exch> Fwd: [health-vn] UN report shows big progress in fight against AIDS

[Claudio Schuftan]

From: Vern Weitzel <vern.weitzel at gmail.com>
crossposted from: "[health-vn discussion group]" health-vn at cairo.anu.edu.au


http://www.vovnews.vn/?page=126&nid=72464


UN report shows big progress in fight against AIDS


An upbeat United Nations agency reports significant progress over the past
two years in preventing HIV infections, but says more money will be
required, especially in the battle against AIDS.

Top official of a joint UN project to prevent the spread of HIV, Peter Piot,
said HIV prevention efforts that target drug users, gay men, and sex workers
in heavily affected countries have tripled. He also said that AIDS related
deaths are on the decline.

The report prepared by UNAIDS and its co-sponsoring UN agencies is compiled
every two years and monitors the global response to AIDS. The study shows at
least 33 million people in the world are living with HIV and there are
nearly 7,500 new infections each day.

Teatment is more accessible with at least three million people receiving
anti-retroviral treatment. Also, 33 percent of pregnant women are treated
with drugs to prevent mother-to-child transmission, resulting in a decrease
of infections among children from 410,000 to 370,000, Mr Piot said.

Young people are also changing their behavior. The report shows they
increasingly delay sexual intercourse and practice safer sex.

According to Thoraya Obaid, director of the UN Population Fund, 45 percent
of new adult infections occurred among young people between the ages of 15
and 24 last year.

Both UN officials noted the progress is significant, but said financing the
fight against HIV/AIDS will have to be increased in the next few years.

More than 100 countries are trying to achieve universal access to HIV
prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010.
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