HIV and AIDS

The issue

Around 40 million people worldwide are living with HIV and AIDS. Every day there are 15,000 new HIV infections – and 8,000 deaths from the disease.

Poverty increases vulnerabilty to infection. Poorer people may have weak immune systems because of general poor health so are more likely to suffer.

Also, those with the virus struggle to get proper treatment because they can’t afford it and their country cannot provide it free. Those living in poverty often have no access to education – so are not taught about HIV prevention.