The Pandemic
An estimated 33 million people are living with HIV throughout the world, and this number increases in every region, every day. A pandemic refers to the widespread, global outbreak of a disease, and the current spread of HIV and AIDS is now a pandemic. HIV and AIDS affect all people-regardless of age, gender, race or social well-being.
1 The Geography of HIV and AIDS
HIV and AIDS is one major public health challenge that undermines development in the poorest countries in the world. The highest rates of HIV and AIDS incidence are in Sub-Saharan Africa. More than two out of three (67%) adults and nearly 90% of children infected with HIV live in Sub-Sahara Africa. And 75% of all deaths due to AIDS in 2007, occurred in this region. 2
In countries with the highest prevalence of HIV and AIDS, more than one-third of the population can be infected. 3 AIDS is also spreading rapidly in other areas. In Eastern Europe and Central Asia, new infections have increased nearly 70 per cent during the past two years. 4
The Key Points
- HIV and AIDS are devastating to families and communities. It threatens the quality of life, economic progress and social structure of entire communities and countries. In many parts of the world, HIV and AIDS are actually reversing years of progress made on developmental projects and initiatives.
- HIV and AIDS disproportionately affect women and girls. Globally, and in every region, more women than ever before are living with HIV. As of 2007, in Sub-Saharan Africa, women accounted for more than 61% of adults living with HIV. 5 Three-quarters of newly infected 15- to 24-year-olds are female. 6
- HIV and AIDS are often misunderstood and misrepresented. AIDS is a disease draped in stigma and fear due to lack of understanding of how it is transmitted and treated. Thus, in many parts of the world, infected persons feel victimized and shunned. Ignorance and prejudice fuel the spread of a preventable disease.
- People in HIV- and AIDS-affected communities are not helpless victims. Countless people are responding by mobilizing community resources to educate about HIV and AIDS, provide care for those affected, and advocate for the resources and support they require to fight this disease.
Combating HIV and AIDS
Community education on how to protect oneself against the disease provides an immediate response to stop the spread of HIV and AIDS. However, the rate of HIV and AIDS prevalence will not stop growing until the causes for the spread are reduced. Rebuilding communities, working for peace, building long-term education opportunities and providing food security, medical care and proper nutrition are keys to stopping the spread of the disease. World Vision is Canada's largest relief, development and advocacy agency that works toward these goals.
1 HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus, the virus that causes the AIDS disease. AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
2 Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). 2008. Report on the global AIDS epidemic 2008.
3 CIA, The World Factbook, 2007.
4 Global AIDS Alliance, 2007.
5 Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). 2007. AIDS Epidemic Update: Global Summary.
6 Global AIDS Alliance, 2007; UNICEF. Enhanced Protection for Children Affected by AIDS, 2007.
