UNAIDS Examines Challenges in China's Response to HIV/AIDS

"Focus on China's AIDS Response," UNAIDS: Although China's HIV prevalence is less than 0.1% of the population, the country continues to experience challenges in addressing the virus, according to a report from UNAIDS. The Chinese government in recent years has improved its response to the epidemic by introducing laws and policies, implementing HIV prevention efforts and increasing access to antiretroviral drugs. According to UNAIDS, HIV prevention activities should continue to be a priority in China, where more than 30 million people are estimated to be participating in behavior that places them at risk of HIV transmission. In addition, stigma and discrimination against people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS continue to hinder China's efforts to address the virus, although the Chinese government recently banned discrimination against HIV-positive people. According to UNAIDS, the implementation of China's national five-year plan to curb HIV/AIDS likely will help keep the number of HIV-positive people below 1.5 million by 2010 (UNAIDS, 9/19).

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