Worrying Increase in AIDS Among Adolescents Calls for Renewed Action

Strategic Insights -

A concerning trend has emerged in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, as the number of adolescents contracting the disease has tripled since the beginning of the millennium, according to Simon Bland, the New York director of UNAIDS. This alarming rise has prompted Bland to warn against complacency, emphasizing that the job of addressing AIDS is far from complete. Despite progress made in reducing the price of antiretroviral treatment and achieving milestones like Cuba's certification of being free of mother-to-child transmission, Bland highlights the need for continued effort, particularly in addressing the disproportionately high infection rates among adolescent girls.

Key Takeaways:

  • The death rate of adolescents due to HIV/AIDS has tripled since the beginning of the millennium, with 26 new adolescent infections occurring every hour.
  • Adolescent girls are disproportionately affected, making up seven out of 10 new infections globally, with the majority being in Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • The six countries with the highest infection rates among young women and girls are South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, India, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
  • In China, there were 575,000 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) by the end of October 2015, and 177,000 deaths.
  • UNAIDS will work with Chinese authorities to address the situation and offer assistance.
  • World AIDS Day is an opportunity to reflect on the past, current challenges, and future progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
  • The price of antiretroviral treatment has reduced from $10,000 per patient per year to around $100 per patient per year.
  • Cuba's certification as being free of mother-to-child transmission is a notable achievement.
  • Rapid diagnostics have made it easier to test for HIV/AIDS, but much more progress is still needed, with around 19 million people living with HIV unaware of their status.

Statistics:

  • 26 new adolescent infections occur every hour.
  • 7 out of 10 new infections globally are among adolescent girls.
  • 37 million people are living with HIV.
  • 19 million people living with HIV do not know their status.
  • The price of antiretroviral treatment has reduced from $10,000 to $100 per patient per year.
  • 575,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS in China.
  • 177,000 deaths from HIV/AIDS were recorded in China by the end of October 2015.

Sources:

  • Xinhua News Agency, Nov 30, 2015
  • COMTEX