Once thought of as a disease of the most at-risk populations of injection drug users and sex workers, HIV has spread to the general population. Given the present rate of infection and the fact that portions of the world’s population where infection rates were low are now seeing a rapid and increased rise in the number of people infected, HIV has become a worldwide epidemic.

During the past two years, the number of people living with HIV has increased in every part of the globe. According to the most recent UNAIDS report, the greatest increase in infection rates has been in East Asia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, where the number of people living with HIV in 2006 was over one fifth (21%) higher than in 2004. The incidence of HIV in such proportion in the general population is a relatively recent development there.

Globally, an estimated 17.7 million adult women (15 years or older), more than ever before, are living with HIV. In some regions of the world, particularly in Latin America, young people (15-24 years of age) will account for 40 percent of the new HIV infections in 2006.

In a recent paper issued by the World Health Organization, Dr. Colin Mathers and Dejan Loncar painted a dismal picture of a future in which HIV infection is left unchecked. Using projections for HIV/AIDS mortality derived from existing models, HIV/AIDS data from more than 100 countries and projected socio-economic development to form a baseline scenario, Mathers and Locar conclude that by 2030, HIV/AIDS will be the world’s third leading cause of death, surpassed only by heart disease and stroke.

PCI-Media Impact’s programs are working to lessen the rampant spread of HIV through soap opera format dramas on radio and television and radio call-in shows that foster open and honest discussions about what it means to be infected with HIV. Much of this programming is intended for a young audience, as the future course of the HIV worldwide epidemic hinges on the behavior of young adults in making sound, educated choices with regard to sexual behavior. Misconceptions about how the disease is spread, and reducing the stigma of HIV in order for individuals to seek testing and treatment can only come through education.

In 2006, 37.2 million adults and 2.3 million children (under the age of 15 years) were living with HIV. There were 2.9 million deaths attributed to AIDS in 2006.

AIDS Epidemic Update Dec 06, UNAIDS/WHO

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