Revised HIV data shows need to invest in hardest hit communities
21 November - for immediate release
The Alliance has welcomed the news that fewer people around the world are estimated to be living with HIV than previously thought. This follows the release of better epidemiological data from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), which has given a more accurate understanding of the global HIV epidemic.
Alliance executive director Alvaro Bermejo said:
“The new figures released from UNAIDS and WHO estimate that millions fewer people than previously thought are living with HIV around the world, and that significantly fewer people became newly infected in 2007. This is very good news. However, we must also recognise that these reductions are based in large part on revised methods of data collection. Unfortunately, the revised statistics still show that AIDS remains one of the world’s leading causes of death, with over 6,800 new HIV infections and over 5,700 deaths every day.
“These figures show that we need to continue to invest in high prevalence epidemics where the greatest burden is felt. We also need to invest more in marginalised and hard-to-reach populations – sex workers, men who have sex with men, and injecting drug users, for example - who in many countries outside sub Saharan Africa experience the impact of HIV most intensively.
“There has been a history of underinvestment in work with the most marginalised and affected populations, and the new figures underline the need to concentrate more resources on these groups.
“It is also important that we continue to use a combination of surveillance methods to give us data that allows us to understand the different epidemics that exist in each country and locality around the world – and to respond with appropriate programmes and services. We hope UNAIDS will continue to work with governments and civil society at a national level to achieve ongoing improvements to data.
“Despite the good news that fewer people than previously thought are living with HIV around the world, the HIV response continues to be undermined by a global resources gap. The revised estimates don’t change the fact that we are not investing enough in HIV programmes and services. Even with these revised estimates, if we are to meet the commitments made by governments around the world to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, care and treatment by 2010, world leaders need to provide more money and direct it to those people most affected.”
Ends
Editor’s notes
1. In 2005, G8 governments committed to universal access to HIV prevention, care and treatment. This commitment from the world's richest governments was endorsed by all UN Member States at the World Summit at the end of 2005. From that moment, all the world's governments have formally accepted the challenge of: "Developing and implementing a package for HIV prevention, treatment and care with the aim of coming as close as possible to the goal of universal access to treatment by 2010 for all those who need it."
2. Established in 1993, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance (the Alliance) is a global partnership of national organisations working to support community action on AIDS in developing countries. These national partners help local community groups and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to take action on AIDS, and are supported by technical expertise, policy work and fundraising carried out at the UK-based international secretariat and across the Alliance.
3. The Alliance has worked with community organisations from over 40 countries, and provided financial support to over 3,000 projects (implemented by over 2,000 community and faith-based groups). Expenditure in 2006 alone was over US $58 million (£30 million).
4. More information about the work of the International HIV/AIDS Alliance is available from www.aidsalliance.org. Alternatively, and to arrange interviews, please contact Simon Moore. T: 01273 718744. E: smoore@aidsalliance.org or Rhian Evans. T: 01273 718961. E: revans@aidsalliance.org
