HIV/AIDS Pandemic Spreads Further

The number of people living with HIV/AIDS rose to 42 million at the end of 2002. Five million people became infected with HIV in 2002, and another 3.1 million died of AIDS-related causes.

For the first time, women account for half the people living with HIV/AIDS. Heterosexual transmission, particularly in Africa and the Caribbean, is the primary cause of infection among women, who are two to four times more likely than men to become infected during unprotected vaginal sex.

Source:

HIV/AIDS Pandemic Spreads Further , Vital Signs 2003, pp. 68-69.

Worldwatch Links:

Vital Signs Fact of the Week Archive
Vital Signs 2003 press release
Take action: Vital Signs 2003, What You Can Do
More research from Worldwatch

Additional Resources:

Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS: http://www.unaids.org

Global AIDS Alliance: http://www.globalaidsalliance.org