The Global Pulse Journal Blog

According to recent data from the WHO and UNAIDS, the number of people infected with the HIV virus has remained relatively stable, around 33 million around the globe, for the last two years. The data suggests that the number of cases probably peaked in 1996 with the disease stablizing in most regions since then.  The WHO/UNAIDs report suggests that their were 17% fewer new infections worldwide in 2008, compared with 2001. A notable exception is the number of HIV infections in many parts of Africa which remains alarming. Although the rate of new infections has decreased worldwide, only two out of five of those newly infected begin treatment. While around 4 million people were receiving antiretroviral medications at the end of 2008 compared to 3 million in 2007, an additional 5 million people in need of antiretrovirals were not receiving treatment.