HIV/AIDS: Update on Asia

What is HIV/AIDS?

According to the web definition of HIV/AIDS, it is "a deadly infectious disease that has killed millions across the globe. It has had the largest affect in sub-Saharan Africa, where it has stalled poverty relief and is partially responsible to the continued increase in the poverty rate there."

http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/00282/other_glossary.htm

"A deadly disease, without a cure, of the human immune system due to infection by a virus."

http://www.apheda.org.au/campaigns/burma_schools_kit/resources/1074040257_16812.html

http://www.thewellproject.org/en_US/HIV_The_Basics/What_is_HIV.jsphttp://www.thebody.com/content/whatis/art6128.htm

http://www.thebody.com/content/whatis/art2506.html

http://www.thebody.com/content/whatis/art33136.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIDS

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hiv-aids/DS00005

When did HIV/AIDS begin in Asia?

This region -- stretching from and including Pakistan in the west, to Japan and other island nations in the Pacific, and from China in the north to the countries forming Oceania in the south -- has diverse, localized, and varying HIV epidemics. HIV infections were first introduced by MSM into several countries and major cities of the region, including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Hong Kong; this occurred in the early 1980s rather than the late 1970s, as in the U.S. and Western Europe.

While the epidemic among MSM in these areas of south Asia and Oceania peaked in the mid- to late 1980s, the same apparently has not yet occurred in this population in other Asian countries. Epidemiologic data are very difficult to obtain, since many MSM in these regions do not identify themselves as being MSM, and thus remain "hidden." Across this area as a whole, UNAIDS/WHO estimates that over 7 million adults and children were living with HIV at the end of 1999, over five times as many as have already died of AIDS in the region.

HIV spread quickly through IDU populations in many Asian/Pacific countries. In Bangkok, Thailand, in late 1987, 1% of IDU were HIV positive. By the end of 1988, that rate had increased to 30%. Since 1988, HIV prevalence among IDU who have been tested has remained between 20% and 45% both in and outside of Bangkok.

Taken from:

http://www.thebody.com/content/world/art2619.html

HIV/AIDS: Update on Asia

An estimated 8.6 million [6.0 million–13.0 million] people were living with HIV in Asia
in 2006, including the 960 000 [640 000–2.5 million] people who became newly infected in
the past year. Approximately 630 000 [430 000–900 000] died from AIDS-related illnesses in
2006. The number of people receiving antiretroviral therapy has increased more than threefold
since 2003, and reached an estimated 235 000 [180 000–290 000] by June 2006. This represents about 16% of the total number of people in need of antiretroviral treatment in Asia.
Taken from:http://data.unaids.org/pub/EpiReport/2006/05-Asia_2006_EpiUpdate_eng.pdf

http://www.thebody.com/content/world/art27535.html

http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=16199

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/11/17/MN71391.DTL

http://www.thebody.com/content/world/art619.html

Statistical data (in Asia)

ASIA

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HIV and AIDS statistics and features, in 2003 and 2005

	Adults and children living with HIV	Number of women living with HIV	Adults and children newly infected with HIV	Adult prevalence (%)	Adult and child deaths due to AIDS
2005	8.3 million [5.4–12.0 million]	2.0 million [1.3–3.0 million]	1.1 million [600 000–2.5 million]	0.4 [0.3–0.6]	520 000 [330 000–780 000]
2003	7.1 million [4.6–10.4 million]	1.7 million [1.1–2.5 million]	940 000 [510 000–2.1 million]	0.4 [0.2–0.5]	420 000 [270 000–620 000]

National HIV infection levels in Asia are low compared with some other continents, notably Africa. However, the populations of many Asian nations are so large that even low national HIV prevalence means large numbers of people are living with HIV. Latest estimates show some 8.3 million [5.4 million–12 million] people (2 million [1.3 million–3 million] adult women) were living with HIV in 2005, including the 1.1 million [600 000–2.5 million] people who became newly infected in the past year. AIDS claimed some 520 000 [330 000–780 000] lives in 2005.

Taken from:

http://www.unaids.org/epi/2005/doc/EPIupdate2005_html_en/epi05_06_en.htm

HIV/AIDS in Asia -- 2006
Adults and children living with HIV	8.5 million
Adult and child deaths from AIDS	633,000
Adults and children newly infected with HIV	960,000

Taken from:

http://www.thebody.com/index/whatis/demo_asia.html

What are the measures being taken to control the disease, in Asia?

http://www.thebody.com/content/world/art12027.html