AIDS: The Big Picture

As we commemorate another World AIDS Day, we are reminded of both the pitfalls and the progress of our fight against the still-too-prevalent epidemic first identified more than 40 years ago. Since that time, the fight has gone global, with millions battling HIV/AIDS within their nations, their communities, their families. Activists, politicians and celebrities have joined in the efforts to make AIDS awareness a priority and funding for research and medical development a necessity.

And, though the development of microbicides and similar medical advances may mean contracting the disease is not an automatic death sentence, the numbers are still alarming enough to warrant a continual call-to-arms and a ned to remain ever vigilant in fighting the development of new cases through prevention and awareness.

On this page, a gallery of some of the many ways we have commemorated that fight alongside those who must wage the battle for themselves or for their loved ones. May we emerge victorious.

• More than 25 million people have died of AIDS since 1981.
• Africa has 12 million AIDS orphans.
• At the end of 2006, women accounted for 50% of all adults living with HIV worldwide, and for 61% in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Young people (under 25 years old) account for half of all new HIV infections worldwide.
• In developing and transitional countries, 7.1 million people are in immediate need of life-saving AIDS drugs; of these, only 2.015 million (28%) are receiving the drugs.
• The number of people living with HIV has risen from around 8 million in 1990 to more than 33 million today, and is still growing.
• Around 69% of people living with HIV are in sub-Saharan Africa.

 
Sources: UNAIDS/WHO 2007 AIDS epidemic update 
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