India Reports "Overall Reduction" in Adult HIV Prevalence, New Infection

India's permanent representative to the UN told the Security Council on Tuesday that his nation has achieved "an overall reduction in adult HIV prevalence and new infection." "Adult prevalence has declined from 0.41 percent to 0.31 percent in 2009," said Hardeep Singh Puri. "Moreover, the estimated number of new annual HIV infections has reduced by more than 50 percent over the past decade, from 270,000 in 2000 to 120,000 in 2009. However, our disease burden in absolute terms is high at 2.27 million, and it is estimated that nearly 172,000 people died of AIDS-related illness in India." He called for the global community to make firm financial commitments to help developing nations fight AIDS, and for attention to trade barriers that drive up the price of generic medications.

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