Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1997. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
|
|
United Press International; Wednesday November 26, 1997 - 11:23 AM EST
The study reports the HIV epidemic has reached 5.8 million people this year alone, including 590,000 children. There could be more than 40 million HIV/AIDS patients by 2000.
The joint study was released in Paris today by the U.N. Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization.
The number of children under 15 living with HIV/AIDS is believed to be 1.1 million worldwide, with its worst rate of increase in developing countries.
Said Dr. Peter Piot ("PEE-Oh"), executive director of UNAIDS: "The more we know about the AIDS epidemic, the worse it appears to be. We are now realizing that rates of HIV transmission have been grossly underestimated _ particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where the bulk of infections have been concentrated to date."
The study shows a drop in new AIDS cases in the United States and Western Europe.
Sandra Thurman, White House AIDS policy director, told CNN the figures mean "we must be more targeted and vigilant in our prevention efforts to make sure we're getting the message to the people that are most at risk; in this country that would be" women, people of color, adolescents.
The study estimates 2.3 million people died of AIDS this year, a 50 percent increase over last year. Half of those deaths were in women and 460,00 were children under 15.
Said a press release issued with the report, "The full impact of the epidemic in terms of AIDS mortality is only just beginning."
971126
UP971108
Copyright © 1997 - United Press International. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through United Press International, Permissions Desk, 1510 H St. N.W. Washington DC 2005. Main Phone Switchboard: 202-898-8000 FAX: 202-898-8057 or 202-898-8147 Email: info@upi.com.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation UK, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1997. 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, 1997. 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. .