Eastern Europe & HIV/AIDS

See also: HIV/AIDS Global Statistics | International HIV/AIDS Organizations

HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe and Central Asia -- 2008
Adults and children living with HIV	1.5 million
Adult and child deaths from AIDS	87,000
Adults and children newly infected with HIV	110,000

Statistics from UNAIDS. For full report, click here. (PDF)

Regionwide Overviews & News

NGOs in Balkan Countries to Establish Regional Body to Fight HIV/AIDS Stigma, Discrimination (January 18, 2012)
In Kaiser Daily Global Health Policy Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
Balkan Countries Join Forces to Fight HIV/AIDS Stigma (January 13, 2012)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
HIV Infections Rise Steeply in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Says UN Report (December 1, 2011)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Austerity Measures in Europe May Cause Rise in Drug-Related HIV Infections, Report Says (November 16, 2011)
In Kaiser Daily Global Health Policy Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
Annual European CDC Report Says Infectious Diseases, Drug Resistance Are Concerns (November 11, 2011)
In Kaiser Daily Global Health Policy Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
Russia Pledges Money to Support HIV, TB Programs in Neighboring Countries (October 18, 2011)
In Kaiser Daily Global Health Policy Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
Forum Focuses on Challenges Facing Women, Girls Affected by HIV In Eastern Europe, Central Asia (October 14, 2011)
In Kaiser Daily Global Health Policy Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
Eastern European Governments' Indifference to Opiate-Substitution Treatment Programs Threatens HIV Control Efforts (January 6, 2011)
In Kaiser Daily Global Health Policy Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
UNAIDS Chief: Spread of HIV in E. Europe Is Scary (November 30, 2010)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Eastern European Street Kids Facing "HIV Epidemic" (August 3, 2010)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
HIV Rising Fastest in Eastern Europe; Central Asia: UNICEF (July 22, 2010)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Regional Session on Europe and Central Asia (July 22, 2010)
To read PDF, click here.
From Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
WHO Calls for United Action to Address HIV in Europe (July 21, 2010)
From World Health Organization
HIV Levels Soar Amongst "Street Youth" in Eastern Europe (July 20, 2010)
As many as 40% of young people living on the street in some areas of Eastern Europe are infected with HIV, according to doctors, activists and UNICEF representatives.
From aidsmap.com
Internet Key to Reaching Men Who Have Sex With Men in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe (July 19, 2010)
A workshop held before the opening of the AIDS 2010 conference heard about the central role that the internet has in reaching marginalized gay and other men who have sex with men.
From aidsmap.com
Eastern Europe, Central Asia: Drug Users Must Be Helped to Halt AIDS Spread (April 27, 2010)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
AIDS 2010 to Highlight Epidemic in Eastern Europe, Central Asia Regions (March 11, 2010)
In Kaiser Daily Global Health Policy Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
The Euro HIV Index 2009 (PDF) (October 13, 2009)
From Health Consumer Powerhouse
The First European HIV Index Calls for Leadership and Radical Improvement; Luxembourg Is European Champion (October 13, 2009)
To read PDF, click here.
From Health Consumer Powerhouse
HIV "Family Tree" Traces How Virus Has Spread Through Europe (May 21, 2009)
According to an international team of researchers, tourist destinations are the focal points for the spread of HIV through Europe, and most new infections happen among travelers, not residents.
In Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
Hidden HIV Epidemic Amongst MSM in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (January 26, 2009)
From UNAIDS
Europe's HIV Infection Rate Has Doubled Since 2000 (December 2, 2008)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
HIV/AIDS Surveillance in Europe 2007 (PDF) (December 1, 2008)
From European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and World Health Organization Europe
U.K. Motion Calls on International Development Department to Place Women at Center of HIV/AIDS Efforts (April 8, 2008)
In Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
Epidemiological Fact Sheets by Country (2008)
Each fact sheet provides the most recent country-specific data on HIV/AIDS and STI prevalence and incidence, a short assessment of the country's epidemiological situation, and information on knowledge and behaviors that can spur or stem the transmission of HIV.
From UNAIDS, UNICEF and World Health Organization
Number of New HIV Cases in European Union Nearly Double Since 1999, Report Says (November 26, 2007)
In Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
Fact Sheet: AIDS Epidemic in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (PDF) (December 2006)
A brief overview of the effects of HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
From UNAIDS
Overlapping Epidemics: Tuberculosis, HIV and Viral Hepatitis in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (April 2006)
To read PDF, click here.
In TAGline, from Treatment Action Group
Heroin Use Contributing to HIV Spread in Eurasia (July 26, 2005)
HIV prevalence is reportedly rising in Belarus, Moldavia, Tajikistan, Ukraine and other countries along the drug trafficking route from Afghanistan to Eastern Europe.
In Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
Transition and the HIV Risk Environment (July 23, 2005)
Researchers at Imperial College London examine how political transitions and resulting social changes are contributing to the spread of HIV in Eastern Europe, and how this impacts HIV prevention messages.
In British Medical Journal
Africa: Children's Access to Prophylaxis May Improve After Medical Study, New WHO Recommendations (December 31, 2004)
WHO, UNAIDS and UNICEF recommend the cheap antibiotic co-trimoxazole for all children with HIV symptoms in poor countries, but activists say the move may be too little, too late.
In AIDS Treatment News, from AIDS Treatment News
UNAIDS Compares AIDS Pandemic to Terrorism, Says European Union Has Failed to Curb Disease Among New Members (April 20, 2004)
In Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
Roma in Europe Are High in Sexual Risk, Low in HIV Awareness, Study Finds (April 6, 2004)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Global Report Finds High Rates of Resistant TB in Eastern Europe, China (March 16, 2004)
In Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
HIV Spreads to General Population in Former Soviet Union; U.S. Military Concerned (February 9, 2004)
In The 11th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, from The Body PRO
Advocacy Essentials: Ask For What You Need (December 2003)
[Archived Article]
A major U.S. advocacy group assists the fledgling HIV activist movement in Central/Eastern Europe.
In GMHC Treatment Issues, from Gay Men's Health Crisis
Prevention and Treatment in Eastern Europe (November/December 2003)
To read PDF, click here.
In Positively Aware, from Test Positive Aware Network
AIDS on the Rise in Eastern Europe (July 8, 2003)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Human Rights Abuses Boosting Number of AIDS Cases in Eastern Europe, Experts Say (July 1, 2003)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
European Union Gives Thumbs-Up to Tenofovir Use in Treatment-Naive Patients (May 28, 2003)
[Archived Article]
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
"Goodbye, America" (May 2003)
Many former Soviet states lie at the doorstep of the West, yet the treatment access gap between the two regions remains massive.
In GMHC Treatment Issues, from Gay Men's Health Crisis
EU Says Candidate Countries Cause Concern Over Drug Abuse (April 17, 2003)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
HIV Rising in the East (March 21, 2003)
A huge HIV/AIDS epidemic is on the brink of devastating much of Eastern Europe.
In The Lancet
The HIV Infection in Europe: Large East-West Disparity (March 2003)
[Archived Article]
In Eurosurveillance Monthly
AIDS: Europe's New Iron Curtain (November 26, 2002)
The rise of the AIDS epidemic in the East has fueled a new type of separation from the region's Western neighbors.
From BBC News
Global War Against AIDS Runs Short of Vital Weapon: Donated Condoms (October 9, 2002)
[Archived Article]
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Condom Shortage "Contributing to the Spread of AIDS in East Europe and Third World" (October 2, 2002)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Eastern Europe and Central Asia Have Fastest Rising HIV Rate (October 2002)
From Population Reference Bureau
HIV, AIDS Spreading Rapidly in Eastern Europe (RealAudio) (September 26, 2002)
A three-minute interview with the director of international AIDS prevention efforts at the Open Society Institute.
From National Public Radio
HIV/AIDS: The Extent of the Invisible Epidemic (PDF) (September 17, 2002)
[Archived Article]
A brief Fact Sheet providing an overview of the epidemic in Europe and Central Asia as of 2002.
From World Health Organization
Joint Statement on People-to-People Contacts Issued by President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin (May 28, 2002)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
HIV/AIDS Surveillance in Europe (PDF) (2002)
Detailed epidemiological data, as of mid-year 2002, for Eastern and Western Europe.
From European Centre for the Epidemiological Monitoring of AIDS
Eastern Europe and Central Asia (December 2001)
In AIDS Epidemic Update: December 2001, from UNAIDS
Cumulative Reported HIV Infections Per Million Population in Eastern European Countries: 1993-2001 (2001)
A graph illustrating the growth of HIV in eight Eastern European countries.
From UNAIDS
Global Overview: Eastern Europe and Central Asia (December 2000)
In AIDS Epidemic Update: December 2000, from UNAIDS
AIDS Epidemic Explodes in Eastern Europe (November 28, 2000)
Over two-fold increase in infections registered in single year; impact on Russian Federation particularly severe.
From UNAIDS

Other Eastern European Countries

Austrian Health Minister Stresses Prevention in Fight Against AIDS (December 9, 2011)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Kazakhstan Has 17,266 Registered HIV Carriers (November 14, 2011)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
What Are the Needs of HIV-Positive Women Who Want to Have Children in Lithuania? (March 4, 2011)
In The XVIII International AIDS Conference, from The Body
HIV Prevention in Latvia Nearly Non-Existent Due to Multiple Reorganizations (August 5, 2010)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Estonia: 222 Persons Diagnosed With HIV in Seven Months (August 5, 2010)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Macedonia: Group Wins HIV and Rights Award (July 20, 2010)
Advocacy on behalf of sex workers, drug users honored at International AIDS Conference.
From Human Rights Watch
Estonia Has to Step Up Efforts to Combat HIV: Survey (October 20, 2009)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Sexual Behavior and HIV/Sexually Transmitted Infection Risk Behaviors in the General Population of Slovenia, a Low HIV Prevalence Country in Central Europe (May 26, 2009)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Czech Patient Group Calls for Mandatory HIV Testing Among Health Professionals (March 25, 2009)
In Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
Latvia's Public Health Agency Releases HIV/AIDS Data (March 24, 2009)
In Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
New HIV Cases Increasing in Czech Republic; Most Cases Reported Among Men (January 29, 2009)
In Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
Europe's HIV Infection Rate Has Doubled Since 2000 (December 2, 2008)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Epidemiological Fact Sheets on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (Slovenia) (PDF) (2008)
From UNAIDS, UNICEF and World Health Organization
Epidemiological Fact Sheets on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (Armenia) (PDF) (2008)
From UNAIDS, UNICEF and World Health Organization
Epidemiological Fact Sheets on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (Azerbaijan) (PDF) (2008)
From UNAIDS, UNICEF and World Health Organization
Epidemiological Fact Sheets on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (Belarus) (PDF) (2008)
From UNAIDS, UNICEF and World Health Organization
Epidemiological Fact Sheets on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (Kyrgyzstan) (PDF) (2008)
From UNAIDS, UNICEF and World Health Organization
Epidemiological Fact Sheets on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (Latvia) (PDF) (2008)
From UNAIDS, UNICEF and World Health Organization
Epidemiological Fact Sheets on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (Republic of Moldova) (PDF) (2008)
From UNAIDS, UNICEF and World Health Organization
Epidemiological Fact Sheets on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (Turkmenistan) (PDF) (2008)
From UNAIDS, UNICEF and World Health Organization
Epidemiological Fact Sheets on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (Slovakia) (2008)
From UNAIDS, UNICEF and World Health Organization
Epidemiological Fact Sheets on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (Hungary) (2008)
From UNAIDS, UNICEF and World Health Organization
Epidemiological Fact Sheets on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (Czech Republic) (PDF) (2008)
From UNAIDS, UNICEF and World Health Organization
Epidemiological Fact Sheets on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (Republic of Macedonia) (PDF) (2008)
From UNAIDS, UNICEF and World Health Organization
Epidemiological Fact Sheets on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (Albania) (2008)
From UNAIDS, UNICEF and World Health Organization
Epidemiological Fact Sheets on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (Bosnia and Herzegovina) (2008)
From UNAIDS, UNICEF and World Health Organization
Epidemiological Fact Sheets on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (Bulgaria) (PDF) (2008)
From UNAIDS, UNICEF and World Health Organization
Epidemiological Fact Sheets on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (Croatia) (PDF) (2008)
From UNAIDS, UNICEF and World Health Organization
Bulgaria Seeks UN Agency's Help in Freeing Nurses Sentenced to Death in Libya (October 3, 2005)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Rejects "Blood Money" Deal for Medical Workers Held in Libya (September 26, 2005)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
U.S. Government Donates Blood Testing Equipment to Turkmenistan (February 9, 2005)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Slovakia: Concern Grows Over Impact of EU Membership on HIV Prevalence (May 24, 2004)
In Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
Bulgaria: Thousands Protest Libyan Sentence (May 17, 2004)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Libyans Protest U.S. Condemnation of Death Sentence for Bulgarian Workers Accused of Infecting Children With HIV (May 11, 2004)
In Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
Verdict Date Set for Libyan AIDS Trial Against Bulgarians (April 6, 2004)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Prominent French Doctor Says Bulgarians Didn't Cause HIV Contagion in Libyan Hospital (September 4, 2003)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Luc Montagnier to Testify at Trial of Health Care Workers Accused of Deliberately Infecting Libyan Children With HIV (August 6, 2003)
In Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania Must Address Rising Number of Injection Drug Users, Sex Workers to Prevent HIV Epidemic (July 14, 2003)
In Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
AIDS Trial of Bulgarians in Libya Adjourned Again (July 10, 2003)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
HIV/AIDS in Southeastern Europe (PDF) (May 2003)
Case studies from Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania
From World Bank
Over 600 HIV Positive People Registered in Czech Republic Last Year (March 13, 2003)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Syphilis Patients on the Rise in Eastern Slovak Republic (October 28, 2002)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Belarus Releases AIDS Statistics (April 10, 2002)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
HIV Spreads Among Inmates of Latvian Prisons (March 12, 2002)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention