A UNAIDS report released today showed that AIDS fatalities decreased in 2007 as prevention programs have worked in some countries and more drugs have been distributed to keep HIV in check. UNAIDS executive director Peter Piot said that the report represents “the most positive” study on the pandemic by the agency as the number of AIDS deaths worldwide decreased for the second straight year. Not all was good news in the UNAIDS report; despite praising prevention plans in countries like Chile and Brazil, Latin America had more HIV infections (1.7 million) than any other region except southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, the study found that:
- 40% of those infected in Latin America come from Brazil
- Over half of Mexicans infected with HIV got it through unprotected male sex
- HIV is typically spread through some Central American countries via intercourse with sex workers
- An estimated two-thirds of AIDS cases in Uruguay came about from unprotected sex
Though the percentage of people worldwide with AIDS has been roughly the same since 2000, Piot warned that “short-term gains should serve as a platform for reinvigorating combination HIV prevention and treatment efforts and not spur complacency.”
The report was publicized in anticipation of the XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico City which starts next Monday.
Image- Guardian UK (“Drugs to suppress the HIV virus and prevent full-blown Aids have been rolled out in Africa and Asia and 3 million people are now surviving who would have died.”)
Sources (English)- AFP, Bloomberg, Monsters & Critics, Reuters UK, BBC News
Sources (Spanish)- La Nación
No comments:
Post a Comment