UNAIDS Report on the global AIDS epidemic 30 May 2006 – Terrence Higgins Trust response:

Published by webmaster for Terrence Higgins Trust in Communities

This report shows that although big improvements have been made in access to prevention and treatment for HIV globally, the epidemic is still outstripping our response.

Terrence Higgins Trust is calling for a renewed focus on prevention and improved access to anti-retroviral treatments in the face of the expanding global epidemic.

Nick Partridge, speaking from the United Nations comprehensive review and high level meeting on AIDS in New York said: "Governments and businesses across the World must continue to do more to increase access to anti-retroviral treatments, good sex education and condoms, which we know are vital in reducing the spread of HIV.

"Condoms are the best protection we have against HIV, and in countries where there have been successful condom use campaigns, we have seen a decline in the number of young people becoming infected.

"There are now more people living with HIV than at any time since the epidemic began and this is also true in the UK, where we have record levels of new HIV diagnoses and of people living with the condition."

Ends

Press release issued: May 30 2006