More than two thirds of HIV-positive people live in sub-Saharan Africa
NEW YORK (AlertNet) - Around the world, 34.2 million people are living with HIV, a number that has climbed steadily from 28.9 million people in 2001, according to a new report from the U.N. AIDS programme (UNAIDS).
The figure has risen as new infections continue to occur, although at a slower pace, and more people with HIV receive life-saving antiretroviral drug therapy.
Here is the regional distribution of people living with HIV in 2011:
Global total - 34.2 million
Sub-Saharan Africa - 23.5 million, including 3.1 million children
South and Southeast Asia - 4.2 million, including 180,000 children
Eastern Europe and Central Asia - 1.5 million, including 17,000 children
Latin America - 1.4 million, including 40,000 children
North America - 1.4 million, including 4,500 children
Western and Central Europe - 860,000, including 1,800 children
East Asia - 830,000, including 16,000 children
Middle East and North Africa - 330,000, including 19,000 children
Caribbean - 230,000
Oceania - 53,000, including 3,600 children
Source: UNAIDS
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