AIDS in the Developing World: An Interview With Peter Piot

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2000. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

AIDS in the Developing World: An Interview With Peter Piot

AIDS Clinical Care (01/00) Vol. 12, No. 1, P. 1
O'Rourke, Matthew

In an interview with AIDS Clinical Care's Matthew O'Rourke, Peter Piot--executive director of UNAIDS and an assistant secretary-general of the United Nations--discussed the AIDS epidemic in developing countries. UNAIDS' four main roles are political advocacy, coordination of efforts of the United Nations and governments, determination of the best ways to combat AIDS globally, and providing the world with information on AIDS. The current state of the AIDS epidemic is focused on sub-Saharan Africa. Last year 2.6 million people worldwide died from AIDS, and Africa hosts nearly 70 percent of the infected population. According to Piot, the Caribbean is the second most affected region, although the number of infections in Asia--particularly in India, which has recorded some 4 million HIV cases--also continues to grow. Piot explained that UNAIDS allocates resources by generally keeping the budgets for prevention and treatment separate. He noted, however, that funding for prevention is "absolutely insufficient," with only $165 million spent on prevention in Africa in 1997. UNAIDS' prevention strategies include targeting AIDS information to high-risk groups, social marketing of condoms, peer education, and increasing access to voluntary testing and counseling. Piot also discussed AIDS vaccines and microbicides, and he stressed that AIDS "remains above all a global problem." The epidemic has not been resolved, and he noted that people in the developing world have a particularly dire need for more information about HIV and AIDS.

000118
AD000102

Copyright © 2000 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2000. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2000. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.