World AIDS Day 2010

World AIDS Day 2010
Weekly
November 26, 2010 / 59(46);1509

World AIDS Day (December 1) draws attention to the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) epidemic worldwide. In the United States, approximately 56,000 persons become infected with HIV each year. The National HIV/AIDS Strategy calls for 1) educating all persons in the United States about the continued risk for HIV, 2) implementing intensive, combined HIV-prevention programs in communities with high HIV prevalence, 3) ensuring access to services, and 4) reducing HIV-related health disparities (1).

Globally, at the beginning of 2003, approximately 50,000 persons were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in sub-Saharan Africa, where the need for such therapy was greatest (2). Currently, through the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and a partnership among many organizations, approximately 5 million persons receive ART in low-income and middle-income countries (3). Building on these successes, CDC focuses on strengthening systems and capacities of ministries of health to implement sustainable, evidence-based prevention, care, and treatment services. CDC also is working with its partners to ensure cost-effective programming and efficient implementation through increased technical assistance to multiple countries.

References

1. Office of National AIDS Policy. National HIV/AIDS Strategy. Washington, DC: Office of National AIDS Policy; 2010. Available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/onap/nhasExternal Web Site Icon. Accessed November 16, 2010.
2. Office of Global AIDS Coordinator. The U.S. President's emergency plan for AIDS relief: five-year strategy. Annex: PEPFAR and prevention, care, and treatment. Washington, DC: Office of Global AIDS Coordinator; 2009. Available at http://www.pepfar.gov/strategyExternal Web Site Icon. Accessed November 16, 2010.
3. World Health Organization. More than five million people receiving HIV treatment. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2010. Available at http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2010/hiv_treament_20100719External Web Site Icon. Accessed November 16, 2010.

World AIDS Day 2010