Los Angeles Times Examines Impact of HIV/AIDS on Women, Rural Areas in India

The Los Angeles Times on Thursday in an interactive slide show examined the impact of HIV/AIDS on rural areas in India, with a particular focus on women (Los Angeles Times, 12/21). According to the "2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic" released in May by UNAIDS, India has the highest number of HIV-positive people in the world, with 5.7 million people living with the virus. Despite the high number of HIV-positive people in India, the country's HIV prevalence is less than 1% because of its large population (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 10/2). According to the Times, "India's government is fighting back" and providing antiretroviral drugs in "larger cities." Although people living in rural areas "have heard that there is hope if they can get to the cities," such a journey "is still out of reach" for many of them, the Times reports (Los Angeles Times, 12/21).

Back to other news for December 21, 2006