According to estimates of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) about 33.4 million people throughout the world were living with HIV. In 2008 further 2.7 million people were newly infected. Despite a better access to prevention methods and antiretroviral treatment 2.0 million people died of AIDS in 2008. About 7,400 people are newly infected every day, more than 97 per cent in low- and middle-income-countries. In some regions of Africa, over one third of the population between the ages of 15 and 49 are affected by HIV. In parts of Asia, Latin America and eastern Europe, the proportion of infected adults is rising fast.

Transmission

HIV is most frequently transmitted through unprotected sexual contact. HIV can also be transmitted through blood transfusions and the use of needles. Children can become infected with the virus before or during birth and through breast-feeding.

The causes

Stigmatisation and discrimination of the people concerned is hampering the fight against HIV. Neglect of human rights is putting sex workers, drug-users, women, young people and men who have sex with other men at risk of becoming infected with HIV, because their self-determination is restricted in the social, economic and sexual spheres. If the fight against HIV is to be successful in the long term, the population must be given access to information, education and health services.

The impacts

More than 25 million people have died of AIDS to date. Many people are affected by the epidemic through family members and friends. HIV has a devastating effect on society in the worst affected countries. Families are becoming impoverished because many of the people dying of AIDS belong to the middle generation. Consequently, HIV has repercussions for the education system and the economy.

The international community

The international community has recognised the significance of the HIV epidemic as an obstacle to shaping globalisation in a way that is fair. In the Millennium Development Goals, the international community has undertaken to halt, and if possible begin to reverse, the spread of the disease by the year 2015.