Statistics to Celebrate World AIDS Day 2009

Good news is on the horizon in the fight against AIDS worldwide. On November 24th, 2009, UNAIDS released the AIDS Epidemic Update 2009. This document outlines status of the fight against world-wide AIDS. The Epidemic Update starts with a dynamic introduction with graphs showing what could statistically have been expected of the epidemic and the effect of interventions. Later the report breaks down the update by region. Overall the rate of HIV transmission is down by 17% worldwide.

Note

The UN AIDS Epidemic Update 2009 is not only good news. Much work needs to be done. It's inspiring to see the positive statistics. Check out the AIDS Epidemic Update 2009 for a more balanced view of the AIDS situation in the world. All the statistics presented here are true and from the update. I selected positive statistics to congratulate hard work in the prevention and intervention of HIV and AIDS and to celebrate World AIDS Day on December 1, 2009.

Good News Statistics for World AIDS Day 2009: Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 67% of HIV and AIDS infections worldwide. AIDS interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa vary widely by country. The UN AIDS Epidemic Update 2009 goes into these AIDS statistics. More work, awareness, and funding are needed to make these interventions available to all Sub-Saharan Africans.

For Sub-Saharan Africa, on World AIDS Day 2009, I am celebrating the statistic showing the decrease in overall new instances of HIV this year over past years. New HIV infections this year are approximately 1.9 million. This is a 25% decrease from the peak new HIV rate in 1995 and down from 2.1 million new cases of HIV in 2001.

Good News Statistics for World AIDS Day 2009: Asia

Two of the world's most populated nations are in Asia. Both India and China have been working very hard to help control the spread and treatment of HIV and AIDS. Considering the large population of Asia, the HIV prevalence is rather low. Despite this, HIV and AIDS have affected Asians in a significant way economically. According to statistical projections 6 million additional households in Asia will be living in poverty due to HIV. For Asia, on December 1, 2009, I am celebrating the statistic of stabilization in the overall number of cases of AIDS and number of AIDS deaths.

Good News Statistics for World AIDS Day 2009: Eastern Europe and Central Asia

The most significant statistical factor in the fighting AIDS in Eastern Europe and Central Asia is drug use through injection. For Eastern Europe and Central Asia, on World AIDS Day 2009, I'm celebrating the decreased rate of new cases of HIV and AIDS. The graph of new cases shows a sharp decrease in the rate of new infections starting in 2001. For 2008, the number of new cases is estimated at 110,000, a statistically significant difference from the statistic for 2001 at 280,000.

Good News Statistics for World AIDS Day 2009: Caribbean

Outside of Sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean region has the most prevalent HIV affected population. For the Caribbean, on World AIDS Day 2009, I'm celebrating the decreased rate of new child cases of HIV. Since December 2008, 52% of pregnant women infected with HIV have received antiretroviral drugs that helps decrease the transmission of HIV from mothers to children. The result is a significant decrease in new cases of AIDS for children in the Caribbean.

Good News Statistics for World AIDS Day 2009: Latin America

In Latin America, prevention and intervention efforts are variable. Brazil in particular has put a lot of funding and effort into prevention. In general Latin America has above average access to antiretroviral drugs. Probably as a result, it is estimated statistically that since 2004, AIDS-related deaths has seen a 5% decline. For that I celebrate the efforts and progress in Latin America's fight against AIDS this year during World AIDS Day.

Good News Statistics for World AIDS Day 2009: North America and Western & Central Europe

In North America and Western & Central Europe, we have the privilege of having comparatively superior health care. Given the high level of mobility to and from these areas it is difficult to get clear statistics. It is estimated that in 2007, 77% of new diagnosed cases of HIV in the UK were from people who acquired the virus outside of the UK.

For December 1, 2009, I am celebrating that the number of new cases of HIV is lower. It is estimated that in 2001 there were 93,000 new cases but in 2008 there was only 75,000. Much more needs to be done, especially given the resources we have to fight this epidemic, but today I am celebrating the positive.

Good News Statistics for World AIDS Day 2009: Middle East and North Africa

Throughout this area reporting and therefore statistics have been difficult to take and process. People believed that since low instances were reported because due to social standards in the area citizens of Middle Eastern and North African countries had a sort of cultural immunity to AIDS. With increased reporting we have found that the rate of HIV transmission, AIDS, and AIDS-related deaths are on the rise. For World AIDS Day 2009, I am celebrating that currently the number of cases is low in this region. With timely interventions, we may have the opportunity to nip HIV transmission in the bud.

Good News Statistics for World AIDS Day 2009: Oceania

Oceania has a very low prevalence of HIV. It is estimated that between 0.1-0.2% of the population is infected. The majority of new cases are in Papua New Guinea. On December 1, 2009, I'm celebrating the number of new instances of HIV transmission. In 2001, about 5900 people infected. In 2008, 3900 people were infected. This is a statistically significant decrease in new cases in this area.

References:

UNAIDS, AIDS Epidemic Update 2009