AIDS epidemic update: December 2004

ABSTRACT

The total number of people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) rose in 2004 to reach its highest level ever an estimated 39.4 million [35.9 million-44.3 million] people are living with the virus. The number of people living with HIV has been rising in every region, compared with two years ago, with the steepest increases occurring in East Asia, and in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The number of people living with HIV in East Asia rose by almost 50 percent between 2002 and 2004, an increase that is attributable largely to China's swiftly growing epidemic. In Eastern Europe and Central Asia, there were 40 percent more people living with HIV in 2004 than in 2002. Sub-Saharan Africa remains by far the worst-affected region, with 25.4 million [23.4 million-28.4 million] people living with HIV at the end of 2004. Just under two-thirds (64 percent) of all people living with HIV are in sub-Saharan Africa, as are more than three quarters (76 percent) of all women living with HIV. HIV prevalence in the Caribbean is the second-highest in the world, exceeding 2 percent in five countries, and AIDS has become the leading cause of death among adults aged 15-44 years in this region (AU)