Statistics on HIV/AIDS

Over 34 million people are living with HIV in the world, most of them in Sub-Saharan Africa (approx. 22 million). AIDS continues to be a major global health priority. Although important progress has been achieved in preventing new HIV infections and in lowering the annual number of AIDS related deaths, the number of people living with HIV continues to increase. AIDS-related illnesses remain one of the leading causes of death globally and are projected to continue as a significant global cause of premature mortality in the coming decades (World Health Organization, 2008). Although AIDS is no longer a new syndrome, global solidarity in the AIDS response will remain a necessity. Taken from the 2009 Update from the World Health Organization (WHO). www.unaids.org