GlobalPost examines HIV/AIDS in Asia, Africa

As part of its series titled "The State of HIV/AIDS," GlobalPost published two stories examining the epidemic in different regions of the world. In one article, the news service looks at the spread and control of HIV in Asia, writing, "No generalized epidemic has broken out across the region, HIV infection rates have stabilized in many countries, and more and more people are receiving antiretroviral medication." However, "[t]he disease continues to spread: for every person in Asia that begins antiretroviral treatment, roughly two new adults are infected with HIV. Moreover, funding is too tight -- the total of $1.1 billion spent on campaigns in Asia in 2009 was less than one-third of what the U.N. says is needed for universal success," according to the news service (Carlson, 12/1). In a second article, GlobalPost says in Africa, "statistics tell an upbeat story," noting that the number of new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths have fallen over the past decade. "But despite all the positive progress, experts warn against complacency. Sub-Saharan Africa still accounted for almost three-quarters of all new HIV infections worldwide last year," the news service continues (McConnell, 12/3).