World AIDS Day 2009

red_ribbon.jpg

Today, people around the world remember those who have died of AIDS. It is a sad day. But World AIDS Day is also about the people living with HIV. And for HIV-positive people in Europe and America, the treatment available is doing miracles. In fact, some research suggests that HIV-positive people under successful treatment are no longer infectious, meaning they pose no risk of transmitting the virus.

Here are some facts and figures from the latest report from UNAIDS:

  • Since the beginning of the epidemic, almost 60 million people have been infected with
  • HIV and 25 million people have died of HIV-related causes.
  • In 2008, some 33.4 million people lived with HIV, about 2.7 million were infected, and about 2 million people died of AIDS.
  • In 2008, about 430 000 children were born with HIV, bringing the total number of children living with HIV to 2.1 million.
  • Young people account for around 40% of all new adult (15+) HIV infections worldwide.
  • Sub-Saharan Africa is the region most affected and is home to 67% of all people living with HIV worldwide and 91% of all new infections among children.
  • In sub-Saharan Africa, the epidemic has orphaned more than 14 million children.