UN report now out

[Guest guest]

http://data.unaids.org/pub/GlobalReport/2008/080725_GR08_pressrelease_en.pdfSubstantial increases in HIV prevention efforts producingresults, but not enough to turn back the epidemicNew HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths declining—however AIDS epidemic notover in any part of the worldNew York, 29 July 2008 – According to new data in the UNAIDS 2008 Report on the global AIDSepidemic there have been significant gains in preventing new HIV infections in a number of heavilyaffectedcountries. In Rwanda and Zimbabwe, changes in sexual behaviour have been followed bydeclines in the number of new HIV infections.Condom use is increasing among young people with multiple partners in many countries. Anotherencouraging sign is that young people are waiting longer to have sexual intercourse. This has beenseen in seven of the most affected countries: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi,Uganda and Zambia. In Cameroon the percentage of young people having sex before the age of 15has gone down from 35% to 14%.From 2005 to 2007 the percentage of HIV positive pregnant women receiving antiretroviral drugs toprevent mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) went up from 14% to 33%. In this same period the number ofnew infections among children fell from 410,000 to 370,000. Several countries such as Argentina,the Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Cuba, Botswana, Cuba, Georgia, Molodova, the Russian Federationand Thailand have achieved close to universal access with more than 75% coverage of PMTCT.The report shows that the combined will and efforts of governments, donors, civil society and affectedcommunities can make a difference. Some 105 countries have set goals and targets towards achieving universal access to HIV prevention,treatment, care and support by 2010. “Gains in saving lives by preventing new infections and providing treatment to people living with HIVmust be sustained over the long term,†said UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Piot. “Short-termgains should serve as a platform for reinvigorating combination HIV prevention and treatment effortsand not spur complacencyâ€.The epidemic globally From 2001 new HIV infections declined from 3 million to 2.7 million in 2007 [ranges: 2.6 –3.5 million to2.2 – 3.2 million]. Although the number of new HIV infections has fallen in several countries the AIDSepidemic is not over in any part of the world.Rates of new HIV infections are rising in many countries such as China, Indonesia, Kenya,Mozambique, Papua New Guinea, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and Vietnam. Increases in newHIV infections are also being seen in some older epidemics and HIV incidence is increasing incountries such as Germany, the United Kingdom and Australia.ô€‚ƒ An estimated 33.0 million [30.3 – 36.1 million] living with HIV worldwideô€‚ƒ 2.7 million [2.2 million to 3.2 million] newly infected in 2007ô€‚ƒ 2.0 million [1.8 million – 2.3 million] died of AIDS in 2007The global epidemic has levelled off in terms of the percentage of people infected (prevalence) whilethe total number of people living with HIV has increased to 33 million people globally with nearly 7,500new infections each day.Treatment is saving livesAs reported earlier in 2008, some 3 million people are now receiving antiretroviral treatment in lowandmiddle-income countries. Namibia scaled up treatment from 1% in 2003 to 88% in 2007. SimilarlyCambodia scaled up treatment from 14% in 2004 to 67% in 2007. Other countries that have comeclose to achieving universal access to treatment are Botswana, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba andLao People’s Democratic Republic. In most parts of the world more women are receiving antiretroviraltreatment than men.In part as a result of the scaling up in the past two years AIDS-related deaths have declined from 2.2million to 2 million in 2007 [ranges: 1.9 – 2.6 million to 1.8 – 2.3 million].However, AIDS continues to be the leading cause of death in Africa which is home to 67% of allpeople living with HIV. In Africa, 60% of people living with HIV in the region are women and three outof four young people living with HIV are female.More attention for people most at riskSince 2005 there has been a tripling of HIV prevention efforts focused on sex workers, men who havesex with men and injecting drug users. For example of the 39 countries reporting on access to HIVpreventionservices for sex workers, there was a 60% average coverage rate. Nearly 50% of peoplewho inject drugs in 15 countries and 40% of men who have sex with men in 27 countries had accessto HIV-prevention services.In virtually all regions outside of sub-Saharan Africa, HIV infections have disproportionately affectedinjecting drug users, men who have sex with men, and sex workers. People most at risk have betteraccess to HIV prevention services in countries that have laws to protect them against discrimination.‘Knowing your local epidemic’ remains critical to effective prevention efforts. Over time trends havechanged within regions and within countries. In Thailand the main mode of transmission was sex workand injecting drug use and now the main mode of transmission is among married couples.“Countries need to focus HIV prevention programmes to where the new infections are occurring,†saidUNFPA Executive Director Dr Thoraya Obaid. “Knowing the epidemic and choosing the rightcombination of interventions are critical for an effective response. In many contexts, young people andwomen need special attention.â€Looking ahead The new report is being launched ahead of the XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico. Thisevent will bring together leaders, policymakers, academics, activists, community groups and other keystakeholders to review lessons learnt and build momentum towards achieving universal access goalsby 2010 and the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.“Responding to AIDS is an important Millennium Development Goal which also has a direct impact onmeeting the other Goals by 2015,†said UNDP Administrator Kemal Dervis. “The progress we make inaddressing AIDS will contribute to our efforts to reducing poverty and child mortality, and to improvingnutrition and maternal health. At the same time, progress towards the other Goals, such as tacklinggender inequality and promoting education, is required if we are to halt and reverse the spread ofAIDS.â€Long-term responseAIDS is a long-term issue and that requires a response that is grounded in evidence and humanrights. It requires strong leadership that can sustain commitments over time. The report calls forleaders to approach issues of human sexuality and drug use with a human rights perspective.HIV responses require long-term sustained financing. As more people go on treatment and livelonger, budgets for HIV will have to increase over the next few decades. Donors will have to providethe majority of the funding required for the AIDS responses in low- and some middle-incomecountries, even as domestic spending on HIV has increased in these countries. The response will behelped by commitments such as the recent reauthorization of US$ 48 billion by the United StatesGovernment. The G8 at its recent summit in Japan also agreed to honour in full its commitments tocontinue working towards the goal of universal access to HIV prevention and treatment by 2010.“The scaling up of the AIDS response towards universal access must be based on four key values—arights-based approach, multisectoralism, results for people, and community engagement. These arenot negotiable,†said Dr Piot.#UNAIDS GenevaSophie Barton-Knott | bartonknotts@... | tel. +41 22 791 1697UNAIDS New York Rich | jonathan@... | tel. +1 347 262 9115About the UNAIDS 2008 Report on the Global AIDS epidemicThe 2008 Report on the global AIDS epidemic, prepared by UNAIDS and its Cosponsoring agencies, is themost comprehensive report on the response to AIDS. It uses data from 147 countries against 25 core targets setin the UN declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS adopted in 2001, and the political declaration adopted at the2006 High Level Meeting on AIDS. The information presented in the report enables readers to assess progressmade since 2001 and identify the strengths and weaknesses of the AIDS response to date.About UNAIDSUNAIDS is an innovative joint venture of the United Nations, bringing together the efforts and resources of theUNAIDS Secretariat and ten UN system organizations in the AIDS response. The Secretariat headquarters is inGeneva, Switzerland—with staff on the ground in more than 80 countries. Coherent action on AIDS by the UNsystem is coordinated in countries through UN theme groups, and joint programmes on AIDS. UNAIDS’Cosponsors include UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the WorldBank. Visit the UNAIDS Web site at www.unaids.org