By Ashley Eure
According
to UNAIDS, 2.3 million people gained access to HIV treatments in 2013,
increasing the number of people accessing ART to almost 13 million.(1) However, worldwide, this number falls far
below the number of people in need of lifesaving antiretroviral therapy (ART).
The percentage of people living with HIV who were
receiving treatment was found to be highest in Western Europe and North
America, at 51% and in Latin America, at 45%. In the Middle East and North
Africa, the areas with the lowest coverage, just 11% of people in need of ART
are receiving treatment.
In sub-Saharan Africa, the region with the highest
burden of HIV, treatment is available to only 4 of every 10 people living with
HIV. This number is even lower in countries such as Nigeria, where only two of
every ten people living with HIV has access to treatment. Within sub-Saharan
Africa, 67% of men and 57% of women living with HIV are not receiving
antiretroviral therapy.(1)
These results highlight the need to increase HIV
knowledge and testing, as only 45% of people living with HIV know their status.
Of those that know their status, an estimated 86% are on antiretroviral therapy
and studies suggest that, among those who stay on treatment, an estimated 76%
achieve viral suppression.
Scaling up access to treatment is key in saving
lives and preventing the spread of HIV. Recent data demonstrates that for every
10% increase in treatment coverage there is a 1% decline in the percentage of
new infections among people living with HIV.(2)
Local
churches can play a role in helping people access treatment and testing. Visit
www.HIVAIDSInitiative.com to learn how your church can
offer testing
or help direct people to testing, and watch this
video
to hear how the church can help with treatment.
1.
UNAIDS
2014 Gap Report
2.
UNAIDS
Press Release July 16, 2014
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