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Most new HIV infections occur in lower prevalence countries not prioritised by PEPFAR

Most new HIV infections occur in lower prevalence countries not prioritised by PEPFAR

aidsmap.com - "The burden of the global HIV epidemic is disproportionately falling on lower-prevalence countries, according to an analysis published in the Journal of Virus Eradication. The majority of new HIV infections, cases of mother-to-child HIV transmission and AIDS-related deaths now occur in countries with HIV prevalence below 4.5%. Lower-prevalence countries also had lower rates of antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage and early infant diagnosis.

The authors note that international donor organisations such as PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) and the Global Fund target their resources at countries with the highest HIV prevalence. Currently, PEPFAR has 13 priority countries. Can targets for the control of HIV be met if countries with lower prevalence are being neglected?" (Photo: UNAMID/flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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