Over 56 countries report either considerable reductions or stabilization in new HIV infection rates, while AIDS-related deaths have fallen 20% over the last five years, a UNAIDS Report on the global AIDS epidemic reveals. The authors also inform that consequently, the total number of individuals living with HIV is stabilizing.

In 1999, a total of about 3.1 million people became infected with HIV, compared to 2.6 million today, a drop of nearly one-fifth.

The number of people dying from AIDS-related illnesses dropped from about 2.1 million in 2004 to 1.8 million in 2009.

33.3 million individuals were estimated to be living with HIV at the end of 2009, compared to 32.8 million at the end of 2008. This is a slight increase, but also a small one compared to previous years, indicating that numbers are stabilizing. Experts say that the main reason for the recent increase is longer survival by patients – they are living longer.

Mr Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS, said:

    “We are breaking the trajectory of the AIDS epidemic with bold actions and smart choices. Investments in the AIDS response are paying off, but gains are fragile – the challenge now is how we can all work to accelerate progress.”

The authors of the report gathered information from 182 countries. They say that HIV prevention programs are starting to bear fruit in most parts of the world, especially those where the HIV/AIDS burden is high.

In at least 56 countries the new HIV infection numbers dropped or stabilized by over 25% from 2001 to 2009 – 34 of these countries are in the sub-Saharan region.

New HIV infections in Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa have fallen by over 25%. These countries have the highest rates in the region.

69% of all new HIV infections occur in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Seven countries in Central Asia and Eastern Europe have experienced a 25% increase in new HIV infection rates.

In 15 countries with the highest rates, new HIV infections among young people have come down by over 25%. The authors say this is mainly due to safer sexual practices. New infection rates in South Africa among 18-year-olds declined from 1.8% in 2005 to 0.8% in 2008, a dramatic drop. The decline in 15-24 year-old women was also impressive, from 5.5% to 2.2% from 2003 to 2008.

Less than 25% of males in 59 countries claim to have sex with more than one person during a twelve-month period – among these are 18 countries with the highest HIV rates.

India, Peru, Burkina Faso and eight other countries say that 75% of their people use condoms for higher-risk sex.

Over 50% of men who have sex with men in 54 nations reportedly use condoms.

Over 60% of sex workers in 69 countries used a condom the last time they offered their services.

Only 32% of people who inject drugs have access to prevention services; considerably less than what is required to reduce global figures.

The fight against AIDS and HIV infections is a gradual battle. For every person who starts HIV treatment, there are two new infections.

HIV prevention program investments have not been sufficient, the authors wrote. There is also criticism regarding the efficiency of allocated investments. 22% of AIDS-related spending in low to middle-income countries comes from HIV prevention investments.

As access to treatment spreads, AIDS-related deaths are falling and patients are living longer. 700,000 people had access to life-saving drugs in 2004, compared to 5.2 million in 2009; a 7.5 times increase. Over the last twelve months another 1.2 million people received treatment, a nearly one-third increase from 2008.

A total of nearly 10 million people do not have treatment. It is crucial that they not only receive treatment, but get it early on. The overall impact of treatment programs for people with HIV is severely limited if they do not receive their medications early on.

The report explains that integrating TB (tuberculosis) and HIV programs has been “slow but good”.

The number of babies born with HIV has declined by 24% from 2004 to 2009, to 370,000. In Sub-Saharan Africa rates have dropped by 32%.

Reducing stigma and discrimination is vital for any program to succeed. 89% of countries worldwide today acknowledge or address human rights in their AIDS strategies. 91% of countries have anti stigma and discrimination programs. Unfortunately, punitive legislation still exists and undermines health services. Six countries have the death penalty for same sex relations, while 79 countries criminalize it. The laws in 90% of Asia-Pacific region countries obstruct the rights of people infected with HIV.

UNAIDS says that funding is about $10 billion short for this year. There is concern that donor money, rather than going up, is in fact falling. In 2008 donors gave $7.7 billion, compared to $7.6 billion in 2009. Low-income countries depend on donations for almost 90% of their AIDS programs.

If investments are not sustained or increased, all this progress will start to turn.

“Report on the global AIDS epidemic, 2010”

Written by Christian Nordqvist