Over the last 20 years, the HIV virus has spread across the world. There are people infected with HIV/AIDS in nearly all countries in the world. Some countries are more affected than others, and have more infected people.

Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and on the Caribbean islands have the most people infected with HIV/AIDS. As researchers explain, the epidemic has spread into the general population, and the percentage of people living with HIV/AIDS is high. In some countries almost one-third of the population has HIV/AIDS. That's a lot of people.

Most people infected with HIV/AIDS are young people or working age adults. Many of them are too sick to work and many have died.

As a result, the rest of the population must compensate for this loss to make up the difference. So this disease affects the entire society, even those who are healthy.

HIVAIDS is spreading fast in other parts of the world: Eastern Europe, Russia, China and East Asia.

In most of these countries, the epidemic is contained within "high-risk groups" right now, which means injecting drug users and commercial sex workers, researchers say.

But it is easy for the epidemic to spread to the general population, researchers explain. They warn that it is important to educate people about HIV/AIDS to minimize the spread of the disease.

This is a bit tricky: Many people think they can't get HIV/AIDS because they don't associate with these high-risk groups. They think that the only persons who get infected are those who have done something shameful and bad. (See the story on stigma.) People don't think it is important to learn about HIV/AIDS because they believe they are immune to it.

Also, in many cases people don't want to get tested for HIV/AIDS even if they suspect that they may have it. Instead they live in denial and don't take any precaution to minimize risk. This is not good, because this is how HIV/AIDS can easily spread: through ignorance and fear.

It is important to talk about HIV/AIDS and educate people about it.

Many organizations in the world, including the World Bank, have projects that tackle these problems: some projects help people with HIV/AIDS lead healthier and better lives; other educate people about HIV/AIDS. Many projects focus on educating teenagers and young people about HIV/AIDS.

"Youth have a tremendous role to play in preventing HIV/AIDS as well as in reducing stigma. It is with young people that norms about sex, drug use and the ability to talk about these taboo topics start to change. We must educate young people to be open about these issues, and find a way for them to talk to their peers and parents," explains Hnin Hnin Pyne, World Bank Senior Public Health Specialist.

Often young people are used to educate parents about HIV/AIDS, explains Hnin Hnin Pyne.

"For example, in schools in South Asia, there are school programs that educate students about hygiene, sanitation, HIV/AIDS, and other health topics. Young people get trained about these topics and talk about them to the rest of the community, including their parents."

What does it mean?

Epidemic: An outbreak of a contagious disease that spreads rapidly and widely.

Related Links
www.sesamestreet.com
www.unicef.org
www.aidskids.org
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