Aids

 

Introduction & Overview

introduction
introduction & overview of the issue

overviews & key resources
overview factsheets, key websites & resources


In-depth Resource Guide

articles & literature
articles, documents, factsheets, reports & publications

organizations & websites
organizations, programs, and other informational websites
introduction  More than 60 million people have been infected with HIV since the epidemic began two decades ago. In 2001, it claimed an estimated 3 million lives. In the 45 most affected countries, it is projected that, between 2000 and 2020, 68 million people will die prematurely as a result of AIDS. In many countries, AIDS is erasing decades of progress in life expectancy. The average life expectancy in sub-Saharan Africa is currently 47 years. Without AIDS, it would have been 62 years. In some countries, such as Botswana, up to one-third of the adult population is infected with AIDS. HIV/AIDS marks a severe development crisis in sub-Saharan Africa, the worst-affected region in the world. The scale of the epidemic means that the human and socioeconomic toll will remain massive for many generations. AIDS has orphaned at least 10.4 million children. AIDS also undermines countries' efforts to reduce poverty and improve living standards.