According to the 2009 AIDS epidemic update published by the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), 2.7 million people were newly infected with HIV during 2008. Despite concerns about Central Asia and Eastern Europe, there is consensus that the global rate of infection has fallen from its peak of 3.5 million in 1996. AIDS-related deaths also declined from a peak of 2.2 million in 2004 to 2.0 million in 2008.
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| AIDS clinic, South Africa © Daily Mail & Guardian |
This indicator has shortcomings because modern drug therapy, for those fortunate to receive it, extends life expectancy without removing the presence of the virus. This outcome increases prevalence and misleadingly suggests negative progress. For example, by the end of 2008 there were 33.4 million people living with HIV, treble the corresponding figure for 1990, the MDG baseline year.
The inadequate wording of the MDG and its flawed benchmark added resolve to civil society activists. They argued that failure to combat HIV and AIDS would undermine the entire MDG programme.
The case for targets to be inspired by individual rights eventually succeeded in a UN Political Declaration approved in 2006. This committed world leaders to work "towards the goal of universal access to comprehensive prevention programmes, treatment, care and support by 2010".
The concept of “universal” in this context is more concerned with equal access to affordable services than with 100% delivery. Each country interprets universal access through its own percentage targets for prevention, treatment and care. The overall objective is to create a platform for achieving the MDG by 2015.
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