On Sunday, Rio de Janeiro was announced as the location for the third International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment. The meeting, which is expected to draw 6,000 health professionals from 150 countries, will be held July 24-27.

IAS President Dr. Helene Gayle said Brazil was selected in recognition of its efforts both to halt the spread of HIV and to provide free drug treatment for those affected. The number of HIV-infected people in Brazil today is about one-half the 1.2 million anticipated by a 1990 World Bank prediction, thanks in part to free condom distribution and to frank discussions of the epidemic.

"The conference will open space for a dynamic forum where scientists and public health specialists and community leaders can explore how the latest scientific knowledge can be applied to the reality of developing countries," Gayle said.

Though scientists will present 2,060 papers drawn from research in 114 countries, no major breakthroughs are expected. Still, any incremental advances in knowledge will be welcome, organizers said.

The biannual event has previously been held in Paris and Buenos Aires.

Back to other news for April 4, 2005

Search the Newsroom archive