Kampala, 27 July 2010 -  Investing in the health of women and children was the focus of the high-level Summit of the African Union held 25-27 July in Kampala, Uganda. The meeting, attended by more than 35 Heads of State and politicians, highlighted progress and challenges in advancing Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5, which call for reducing child mortality and improving maternal health.

With only 11% of the world's population, Africa accounts for more than half of all maternal and child deaths. Despite advancements in global health, the African continent has the world's highest maternal mortality ratio and infant mortality rate. Progress towards MDGs 4 and 5 has been slow at best, hindered in many countries by a lack of financial resources for health and programme management.

Ahead of the XVIII International AIDS Conference to be held in Vienna from 18 - 23 July, UNAIDS has launched its OUTLOOK Report 2010 in Geneva.

Key findings:

The new UNAIDS Outlook report outlines a radically simplified HIV treatment platform called Treatment 2.0 that could decrease the number of AIDS-related deaths drastically and could also greatly reduce the number of new HIV infections. Evidence shows that new HIV infections among young people, in the 15 countries most affected by HIV, are dropping significantly as young people embrace safer sexual behaviours.

Also in the report, a sweeping new UNAIDS and Zogby International public opinion poll shows that nearly 30 years into the AIDS epidemic, region by region, countries continue to rank AIDS high on the list of the most important issues facing the world.

Download the full report
Read press release
Visit the Outlook minisite

SUPPLEMENTS

Treatment 2.0: is this the future of treatment?
Young people are leading the HIV revolution
Making sense of money + Where the money for AIDS go?
The benchmark: what the world think about the AIDS repsonse [full] [summary]

New UNAIDS report shows that young people are leading the prevention revolution, with 15 of the most severely affected countries reporting a 25% drop in HIV prevalence among this key population. New global opinion poll shows that AIDS continues to be of major importance for the public around the world.

GENEVA, 13 July 2010 - The new UNAIDS Outlook report outlines a radically simplified HIV treatment platform called Treatment 2.0 that could decrease the number of AIDS-related deaths drastically and could also greatly reduce the number of new HIV infections. Evidence shows that new HIV infections among young people, in the 15 countries most affected by HIV, are dropping significantly as young people embrace safer sexual behaviours.

A Movement for HIV prevention has been established, with the primary target of reducing the number of new HIV infections in Southern Africa by 50% between 2010 and 2015 and an additional target of ending mother to child transmission of HIV.

The Movement is intended as a tool to guide constructive criticism, promote debate and stimulate community mobilization.

For more information, click here to download the 50% by 2015's pamphlet

GENEVA, 8 July 2010 - UNAIDS applauds the decision by the Government of Namibia to lift its travel restrictions for people living with HIV and align the country's legislation with international public health standards. The reforms-which took effect on 1 July-also remove entry restrictions against people living with other contagious diseases.

Restrictions that limit movement based on HIV-positive status only are discriminatory and violate human rights. There is no evidence that such restrictions prevent HIV transmission or protect public health. Furthermore, HIV-related travel restrictions have no economic justification, as people living with HIV can lead long and productive working lives.

"I am heartened by this announcement in Namibia" said Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director.  "HIV-related travel restrictions serve no purpose and hamper the global AIDS response."

New global initiative at the FIFA World Cup shines spotlight on the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV

JOHANNESBURG, 12 June 2010-A new campaign is using the power and outreach of football to unite the world around a common cause-preventing the transmission of HIV from mother to child. Launched today in South Africa by the UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé, international musician Akon, UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador and producer of the World Cup opening ceremony, Lebo M, UNAIDS National Goodwill Ambassador, Jimmie Earl Perry, and Kirsten Nematandani, President of the South African Football Association. The campaign aims to ensure an HIV-free generation by the 2014 FIFA World Cup to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

7 June 2010 - Captains of South Africa, Nigeria, France, Paraguay, Uruguay, Australia, Cote D'Ivoire, Uruguay, Greece, and Serbia national teams join appeal to prevent mothers from dying and babies from becoming infected with HIV.

Each day nearly 1200 babies are born with HIV worldwide-during the course of a 90-minute football match almost 80 babies will become newly infected.

Captains of the teams competing in the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa may be rivals on the pitch in the coming weeks, but off the pitch they are joining forces to support a global campaign to prevent mothers from dying and babies from becoming infected with HIV.

Johannesburg, 25 April 2010 - UNAIDS Executive Director Mr Sidibe' joined South Africa's President Jacob Zuma, Minster of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and Gauteng Premier Ms Nomvula Mokonyane for the launch of the world's largest HIV testing and counselling campaign at the Natalspruit hospital in Erkuhuleni, east of Johannesburg on 25 April.

The campaign, which hopes to test 15-million people by the end of June 2011, is aimed at providing antiretroviral drugs to 80% of South Africans in need of treatment.

The campaign's prevention drive includes an increase in the provision of male condoms from 450-million to more than 1,5-billion condoms.