HIV/AIDS

In 2003 about 3 million people died of AIDS, three-quarters in sub-Saharan Africa alone. Another 5 million were newly infected. Young people ages 15-24 account for 42% of new HIV infections and represent almost one-third of people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide.

AIDS was declared a development crisis by the World Bank in 2000. It is estimated that per capita growth in half of the countries in Sub-Saharan Africa is falling by .05%-1.2% each year as a direct result of AIDS. Health Care systems in many countries are overwhelmed by a growing number of of HIV/AIDS patients. Studies forecast that health care costs in hardest hit countries may increase tenfold over the next several years as a result of the epidemic. The epidemic also inhibits agricultural production in many areas by reducing investments in irrigation, soil enhancement, and other capital improvements. It has been estimated that a total of US$7-10 billion a year is needed from all sources to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in low and middle-income countries

An epidemic

Around 40 million people worldwide are infected with HIV, 95% of whom live in developing countries and has killed more than 20 million people worldwide. AIDSis the leading cause of death in Africa and the fourth-leading cause of death worldwide.

Impact

In 2004, approximately 1.2 million women and 510,000 children under the age of 15 died of AIDS-related causes. Women are increasingly affected by HIV/AIDS. Globally almost 50% of adults living with HIV/AIDS are women.

An estimated 10.3 million young people ages 15-24 are living with HIV/AIDS. There are almost 6,000 newly infected per day and half of them occur among young people.