World health organization

10 facts on the state of global health

A health worker sits across the desk from a young man in a clinic as they discuss his care.
Evelyn Hockstein

HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of adult death in Africa

The annual number of people dying from AIDS-related causes worldwide is steadily decreasing from a peak of 2.2 million in 2005 to an estimated 1.8 million in 2010. HIV testing and counseling uptake has improved, access to antiretroviral therapy has increased, however many people living with HIV in low- and middle-income countries still do not know their HIV status.

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