World AIDS Day 2005: DFID focuses on prevention and
research
Related pages: Millennium Development Goal
6: HIV, AIDS, malaria... |  (188
KB) HIV
and AIDS factsheet (Nov, 2005) | What has been
achieved?
 December
1, 2005.  World
AIDS Day is 17 years old today. And like most teenagers, this UK campaign is
vocal about what it wants people to wear, and why. This year, the what is
the red ribbon - the why is raising awareness, and to support people who
live with HIV and AIDS.
The statistics are stark and alarming. The AIDS epidemic is getting worse. It
is estimated that over 40 million people are now living with HIV and that this
year over 3 million people died from AIDS related illnesses. Two thirds of those
living with HIV live in Sub-Saharan Africa - which remains the worst affected
region.
To halt the spread of HIV and AIDS, and to meet the needs of the most
vulnerable, we need
to focus on prevention and research. This is why the UK has just announced new
funding worth £27.5m as part of the UK's
long-term commitment. Press release: New UK funding for global
AIDS battle (1 Dec, 2005)
UK HIV and AIDS strategy (July,
2004)
Latest news and achievements in 2005
 There is some reason for optimism.
Substantial
progress has been made during the UK presidencies of the G8 and EU, including a
commitment from G8 leaders to implement a package for HIV prevention, treatment
and care with the goal of securing universal access to treatment by 2010.
Read our round-up for more on funding,
research and case studies
Access to antiretroviral
treatment has improved significantly in many regions. Even in some sub-Saharan
African countries, there are signs that HIV prevention programmes can work. In
Kenya and Zimbabwe for example, there has been good progress this year with a
decrease in the level of new infections.
It is hoped that, with a comprehensive approach involving prevention,
treatment and care, 2006 will see a halt to the rising levels of HIV infection
in many more countries. The dream of an AIDS-free generation remains our
goal.
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