November 21, 2006 Terrence Higgins Trust response on new global HIV statistics |  |
According to the latest figures published today in the 'UNAIDS/WHO 2006 AIDS Epidemic Update', an estimated 39.5million people are living with HIV. There were 4.3 million new infections in 2006 with 2.8 million of these occuring in sub-Saharan Africa.
Nick Partridge, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust said:
"People have gained two million life years since 2002 because HIV drugs have got through to some of those who need them. But only a fraction of people worldwide who want an HIV test can easily get one, and work to prevent new infections is reaching only a fifth of those at risk of the virus.
"We have to put the same sustained drive and focus into prevention and diagnosis as we are into making drugs available if we're going to save more lives in the future."
Nick Partridge, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust said:
"People have gained two million life years since 2002 because HIV drugs have got through to some of those who need them. But only a fraction of people worldwide who want an HIV test can easily get one, and work to prevent new infections is reaching only a fifth of those at risk of the virus.
"We have to put the same sustained drive and focus into prevention and diagnosis as we are into making drugs available if we're going to save more lives in the future."
Contact details:
For further information, please contact:
Oliver Wright, Senior Press Officer
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7812 1623
Email: oliver.wright@tht.org.uk
Sally Wright, Head of Media
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7812 1625
Email: sally.wright@tht.org.uk
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