The United Nations’ UNAIDS agency reports today that the number of people living with HIV worldwide is not as high as previously believed. While the organization reported last year that 39.5 million people were currently living with the virus across the globe, new data reveals that the actual number is closer to 33.2 million (nytimes.com, 11/20).
The new statistics— obtained through more thorough surveys in India and heavily populated African nations—show that the prevalence of HIV/AIDS peaked sometime in the late 1990s, when approximately 3 million people were infected with the virus each year. Today, that number is closer to 2.5 million.
Researchers say that in addition to improved surveying methods—including detailed, randomized household surveys in India—changes in behaviors, including increases in condom use and reduction in the number of sexual partners, have contributed to the dramatic drop in numbers.
However, experts stress that while the numbers may not be as alarming, HIV/AIDS should not receive any less attention.
“This is not a surprise,” says Dr. Daniel Halpernin, an HIV expert at the Harvard School of Public Health. “The writing was on the wall years ago. But this doesn’t mean that this epidemic is going away, everything is fine and now forget about it—not at all. There are still about 10 countries in southern Africa that are real nightmares.”
NEW! Scroll down to comment on this story.
Please click OK to confirm your comment and confirm you accept our posting rules. Note your message will be reviewed by our staff before going live.
Beth Benne, RN, is HIV negative, but
the virus has impacted her life. She currently supervises a biannual HIV/AIDS awareness week as
the director of the student health center at Pierce College, a
community commuter school in Woodland Hills, California.
Woman of the Month is supported by exclusive advertising from Gilead.
Overheard in the Women's Forum
"I recently met a guy who is negative. I did tell him about my status and he decided to kiss me anyway (we didn't go further than that). But a day later, he called and said that he actually had a mouth ulcer that time when we kissed and he was very worried. Asked if he can get the virus from me that way. For that moment, I felt so insulted and yet I felt so bad. It was my first time having a contact with a "negative" guy."
