95% of Asia Pacific’s new HIV cases come from these 10 countries

Ten countries in the Asia Pacific region account for 95% of new HIV diagnoses.

The report by the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS, UNAIDS called ‘Ending AIDS: Progress towards the 90-90-90 targets’ analyzed 2014 targets.

In 2016 the majority of new HIV cases in the Asia Pacific came from; India, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, Vietmnam, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand.

It also showed the world is on track to reach global targets for reducing AIDS deaths and HIV treatment access by 2020.

But some regions of the world are at risk of falling behind because of a lack of political commitment.

More than 50% of people living with HIV have access to HIV treatment. Also, AIDS-related deaths have almost halved since 2005.

The 90-90-90 targets were endorsed by governments in 2014. They call for 90% of people to know their HIV status, 90% of people with diagnosed HIV infection on treatment, and 90% of people on treatment to be virally suppressed.

New HIV transmissions have dropped by 13% in six years in the region. But they remain concentrated in the same key populations. Men who have sex with me, sex workers, injecting drug user and trans people are at higher risk of acquiring HIV in the Asia Pacific.

The UN argued if the targets are met, AIDS deaths can be cut dramatically and new infections will fall.

AIDS related deaths have fallen around the world, including in the Asia Pacific where they have fallen. But they are up 48% in the Middle East and North Africa. In Eastern Europe and Central Asia they are up 38%.

Politics is the answer

HIV advocates have said the countries falling behind in targets need more effective policies from their governments…

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