International Report [Associated Press, June 28, 2000]: This is a report from the United Nations concerning the global picture of HIV, which has gotten much press in recent months. Some of the points emphasized in the 135-page report released by UNAIDS are the following:

• HIV is the fourth major cause of death in the world. The total toll is 19 million people, and the total number of people infected is estimated at 34 million. The number of orphaned children is about 13 million.
• The prevalence of HIV in 16 sub-Saharan African countries is greater than 10% for persons 15- 49 years years of age, and in seven countries the prevalence is greater than 20%. In South Africa, the total number of infected people is 4.2 million. Botswana has the highest prevalence at approximately 33%.
• The impact on society has been substantial. For example, agriculture production in countries such as Zimbabwe is falling, and about 2,000 people die of AIDS each week. Businesses are going bankrupt. The educational system is disrupted by the lack of teachers who because so many have been victims of AIDS, and many children are leaving school because they are orphans or forced to work. Hospitals cannot keep up.
• There continues to be a problem with denial. The report cites a survey of 72 AIDS orphans from Kenya; all orphans knew about AIDS, but none were aware that their parents died of it.
• Peter Piot has estimated an economic need for about $4 billion for prevention and educational programs. posted 7/19/2000