Aids-related deaths 'down 21% from peak', says UNAids

[Guest guest]

Aids-related deaths 'down 21% from peak', says UNAids

1 November 2011 Last updated at 08:15 ET

Combination HIV drugs Access to combination HIV therapy has significantly

improved

Aids-related deaths are at the lowest level since their 2005 peak, down 21%,

figures from UNAids suggest.

Globally, the number of new HIV infections in 2010 was 21% down on that peak,

seen in 1997, according to UNAids 2011 report.

The organisation says both falls have been fuelled by a major expansion in

access to treatment.

Its executive director, Michel Sidibe, said: " We are on the verge of a

significant breakthrough. "

He added: " Even in a very difficult financial crisis, countries are delivering

results in the Aids response.

" We have seen a massive scale up in access to HIV treatment which has had a

dramatic effect on the lives of people everywhere. "

'End in sight?'

This latest analysis says the number of people living with HIV has reached a

record 34 million.

Sub-Saharan Africa has seen the most dramatic improvement, with a 20% rise in

people undergoing treatment between 2009 and 2010.

About half of those eligible for treatment are now receiving it.

Continue reading the main story

" Start Quote

There is still much more to do "

International HIV/Aids Alliance

UNAids estimates 700,000 deaths were averted last year because of better access

to treatment.

That has also helped cut new HIV infections, as people undergoing care are less

likely to infect others.

In 2010 there were an estimated 2.7m new HIV infections, down from 3.2m in 1997,

and 1.8m people died from Aids-related illnesses, down from 2.2m in 2005.

The figures continue the downward trend reported in previous UNAids reports.

The UN agency said: " The number of new HIV infections is 30-50% lower now than

it would have been in the absence of universal access to treatment for eligible

people living with HIV. "

Some countries have seen particularly striking improvements.

In Namibia, treatment access has reached 90% and condom use rose to 75%,

resulting in a 60% drop in new infections by 2010.

UNAids says the full preventive impact of treatment is likely to be seen in the

next five years, as more countries improve treatment.

Its report added that even if the Aids epidemic was not over: " The end may be in

sight if countries invest smartly. "

'Promising moment'

The charity Medecins Sans Frontieres urged governments to keep up their funding.

MSF's Tido von Schoen-Angerer, said: " Never, in more than a decade of treating

people living with HIV/Aids, have we been at such a promising moment to really

turn this epidemic around.

" Governments in some of the hardest hit countries want to act on the science,

seize this moment and reverse the Aids epidemic. But this means nothing if

there's no money to make it happen. "

The International HIV/Aids Alliance said: " We welcome the ongoing commitment of

UNAids to changing behaviours, changing social norms and changing laws,

alongside efforts to improve access to HIV treatment.

" For bigger and better impact though, we must not be complacent. There is still

much more to do. "

More on This Story

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HIV efforts 'woefully inadequate' 31 AUGUST 2011, HEALTH

UN urges more funds for HIV drugs 04 JUNE 2011, WORLD

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15816813

[Guest guest]

Aids-related deaths 'down 21% from peak', says UNAids

1 November 2011 Last updated at 08:15 ET

Combination HIV drugs Access to combination HIV therapy has significantly

improved

Aids-related deaths are at the lowest level since their 2005 peak, down 21%,

figures from UNAids suggest.

Globally, the number of new HIV infections in 2010 was 21% down on that peak,

seen in 1997, according to UNAids 2011 report.

The organisation says both falls have been fuelled by a major expansion in

access to treatment.

Its executive director, Michel Sidibe, said: " We are on the verge of a

significant breakthrough. "

He added: " Even in a very difficult financial crisis, countries are delivering

results in the Aids response.

" We have seen a massive scale up in access to HIV treatment which has had a

dramatic effect on the lives of people everywhere. "

'End in sight?'

This latest analysis says the number of people living with HIV has reached a

record 34 million.

Sub-Saharan Africa has seen the most dramatic improvement, with a 20% rise in

people undergoing treatment between 2009 and 2010.

About half of those eligible for treatment are now receiving it.

Continue reading the main story

" Start Quote

There is still much more to do "

International HIV/Aids Alliance

UNAids estimates 700,000 deaths were averted last year because of better access

to treatment.

That has also helped cut new HIV infections, as people undergoing care are less

likely to infect others.

In 2010 there were an estimated 2.7m new HIV infections, down from 3.2m in 1997,

and 1.8m people died from Aids-related illnesses, down from 2.2m in 2005.

The figures continue the downward trend reported in previous UNAids reports.

The UN agency said: " The number of new HIV infections is 30-50% lower now than

it would have been in the absence of universal access to treatment for eligible

people living with HIV. "

Some countries have seen particularly striking improvements.

In Namibia, treatment access has reached 90% and condom use rose to 75%,

resulting in a 60% drop in new infections by 2010.

UNAids says the full preventive impact of treatment is likely to be seen in the

next five years, as more countries improve treatment.

Its report added that even if the Aids epidemic was not over: " The end may be in

sight if countries invest smartly. "

'Promising moment'

The charity Medecins Sans Frontieres urged governments to keep up their funding.

MSF's Tido von Schoen-Angerer, said: " Never, in more than a decade of treating

people living with HIV/Aids, have we been at such a promising moment to really

turn this epidemic around.

" Governments in some of the hardest hit countries want to act on the science,

seize this moment and reverse the Aids epidemic. But this means nothing if

there's no money to make it happen. "

The International HIV/Aids Alliance said: " We welcome the ongoing commitment of

UNAids to changing behaviours, changing social norms and changing laws,

alongside efforts to improve access to HIV treatment.

" For bigger and better impact though, we must not be complacent. There is still

much more to do. "

More on This Story

Related Stories

HIV efforts 'woefully inadequate' 31 AUGUST 2011, HEALTH

UN urges more funds for HIV drugs 04 JUNE 2011, WORLD

Drugs 'reduce' HIV transmission 12 MAY 2011, HEALTH

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15816813