What is HIV/AIDS?

Some basic facts on HIV/AIDS

In the last decade, the world has made tremendous strides in combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Despite this tremendous progress, HIV has reduced life expectancy in heavily affected countries by more than 20 years, slowed economic growth, and deepened household poverty. In sub-Saharan Africa alone, the epidemic has orphaned nearly 12 million children aged less than 18 years. In 2007, the estimated number of new HIV infections was 2.5 times higher than the increase in the number of people on antiretroviral drugs. Moreover, it is estimated that for every one person put on ART there are four new HIV infections (UNAIDS-2008).

Some 70% of Africans live in rural communities. In order to have any chance of reaching the international goals of universal access to treatment, care and prevention, we need to double efforts to reach rural communities with lifesaving drugs, services and information. To vividly illustrate the situation of people living with HIV in Rural Africa, Walk for Life is organising a walk in the footsteps of Veronica, a woman living with HIV in Lunchu village outside Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia - 25 kilometres from her nearest treatment centre. The walk intends to bring people from NGOs, corporations, politicians and private individuals together in a visible, tangible manifestation of the difficulties faced by HIV positive individuals especially women and children in rural Africa each day.

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