Kate Hergott's List: AIDS in Africa

• The AIDS epidemic in Africa has brought death and suffering of such a scale, it has already  become one of the great tragedies of modern human history.
• The AIDS epidemic in Africa has brought death and suffering of such a scale, it has already  become one of the great tragedies of modern human history.

• Sub-Saharan Africa is more heavily affected by HIV and AIDS than any other region of the world. An estimated 22.5 million people are living with HIV in the region - around two thirds of the global total. In 2009 around 1.3 million people died from AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa and 1.8 million people became infected with HIV. Since the beginning of the epidemic 14.8 million children have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS.¹
• Condoms play a key role in preventing HIV infection around the world. In sub-Saharan Africa, most countries have seen an increase in condom use in recent years. In studies carried out between 2001 and 2005, eight out of eleven countries in sub-Saharan Africa reported an increase in condom use.¹⁰
• Without interventions, there is a 20-45% chance that an HIV-positive mother will pass the virus on to her child. If a woman is supplied with antiretroviral drugs, however, this risk can be significantly reduced. Before these measures can be taken the mother must be aware of her HIV infection, so testing also plays a vital role in the prevention of MTCT.
• For most Africans living with HIV, ARVs are still not available - less than 4 in 10 of those in need of treatment are receiving it.

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• HIV/AIDS is a major public health concern and cause of death in Africa. Although Africa is inhabited by just over 14.7% of the world's population, it is estimated to have more than 88% of people living with HIV and 92% of all AIDS deaths in 2007.^[1]
• Some areas of east Africa are beginning to show substantial declines in the prevalence of HIV infection^{[citation needed]}. In the early 1990s, 13% of Ugandan residents were HIV positive; this has now dropped to 4.1% by the end of 2003. Evidence may suggest that the tide may also be turning in Kenya: prevalence fell from 13.6% in 1997–1998 to 9.4% in 2002^{[citation needed]}. Data from Ethiopia and Burundi are also hopeful^{[citation needed]}. HIV prevalence levels still remain high, however, and it is too early to claim that these are permanent reversals in these countries' epidemics.
• Much of the deadliness of the epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa has to do with a deadly synergy between HIV and tuberculosis,^[31] though this synergy is by no means limited to Africa. In fact, tuberculosis is the world's greatest infectious killer of women of reproductive age and the leading cause of death among people with HIV/AIDS.^[32]

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• The new minister of health publicly acknowledged the failed policies of the past administration and has advanced new, evidence-based policies, which include starting treatment earlier for pregnant women, patients co-infected with TB, and infected children.
• Almost half of South Africa’s approximately $1 billion annual HIV budget comes from donors. The largest of these is PEPFAR, which provided more than $400 million this year.

• It may come as a big surprise to most people, but HIV tests given to people today don't actually test for the presence of the HIV virus. Rather, they test for the presence of HIV antibodies that the immune system creates to defend itself against HIV.

• Women all across the country are affected by HIV/AIDS. Some women are living with HIV while holding down jobs and taking care of families. Other women are caregivers to family members or friends with HIV. Here, you can read some of their stories.
• I have been living with HIV since 1985. I was one of the first females in my area living with this illness. I never thought I would be alive this long. In 1985 they were giving people 1 year to live with this disease.

• The common usage of the words 'high risk', in reference to people, who are most likely to become infected with HIV, has led many to believe misguidedly that they are not at risk. Unfortunately, this belief couldn't be further from the truth.
• Everyone is at risk of infection and worldwide infection rates show that HIV is infecting men, women and children of all ages. Millions of people, who were not considered to be 'high risk', are now infected.

• 1  South Africa  5,600,000   2  Nigeria  3,300,000   3  India  2,400,000

• The number of people living with HIV (including AIDS) in Canada continues to rise, from an estimated 57,000 in 2005 to approximately 65,000 by the end of 2009 (a 14% increase).
• Although estimates of the number of new HIV infections are quite uncertain, it appears that the number of new infections in 2009 (estimated range between 2,300 and 4,300) was about the same as or slightly greater than the estimated range in 2005 (2,200 to 4,200).
• 
   Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) continued to comprise the greatest proportion (44%) of new HIV infections in 2009.

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• It may come as a big surprise to most people, but HIV tests given to people today don't actually test for the presence of the HIV virus. Rather, they test for the presence of HIV antibodies that the immune system creates to defend itself against HIV.
• up to 50 percent of HIV positives are false,

• Number of people living with HIV in the world today: 33 million
• Number of seconds between each new HIV infection worldwide: 12 seconds
• The number of people who die each day of AIDS: 5,479
• • Amount pledged by Canada to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in 2005-2006: $450 million
      SOURCE: The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, 2007. Pledges and Contributions Website.
       
   
  • Annual worldwide military spending: $1.3 trillion

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