UNAIDS Report: AIDS Epidemic Slowing, But Huge Challenges Remain

Abstract

AIDS PREVENTION AND TREATment efforts are helping to slow the spread of HIV in some countries. But millions of new infections still occur each year and only a tiny fraction of the millions who are infected are receiving treatment, according to a report by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). An estimated 38.6 million individuals are currently living with HIV. Comprehensive data from the report show some progress in dealing with the pandemic has been made since 2001, when 189 countries signed the Declaration of Commitment, which outlined HIV prevention and treatment goals aimed at stopping and beginning to reverse the AIDS epidemic by 2015. But many countries are falling short and the epidemic continues to grow, particularly in Asia. The report (http://www.unaids.org /en/HIV_data/2006GlobalReport/default .asp) was released on May 30, the day before world leaders gathered in New York City for 3 days to review progress and discuss new goals at the United Nations General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS.