Several countries report success in reducing HIV infection rates, through interventions that promote behaviour change. However, rates of infection overall are still growing. And the number of people living with HIV has continued to rise, from 36.2 million in 2003 to 38.6 million in 2005 (nearly half of whom are women). There were 4.1 million new infections in 2005. The number of AIDS-related deaths also increased that year, to 2.8 million, despite greater access to antiretroviral treatment and improved care in some regions.

The epidemic remains centred in sub-Saharan Africa. With just over 10 per cent of the world’s people, the region is home to 64 per cent of HIV-positive people and to 90 per cent of children (under 15) living with the virus.