In the last decade, the number of people contracting HIV and dying from HIV-related illnesses has declined considerably, and substantial progress has been made in reducing the stigma of the disease.
But this good news hides the enormous task that still lies ahead. Last year 1.5 million people died of HIV-related illnesses, and it is the leading cause of death among young women worldwide.
Much of the progress that has been made has been achieved by increasing the availability of antiretroviral therapy. But of the 35 million people living with AIDS/HIV, only 37 per cent have access to treatment – leaving around 23 million people without.
Antiretroviral therapy helps to supress the HIV virus, and prevent the progression of the disease, and mothers who take the drugs during pregnancy reduce the risk of transmitting it to their child.
Chasing Zero is a Christian organisation committed to seeing the end of AIDS-related deaths worldwide. Founder and Chief Executive, Joel Wallington, says: "The increase of antiretroviral treatment being made available is helping people sustain longer and healthier lives, [but] we certainly haven't finished the job."
In the last decade, the number of people contracting HIV and dying from HIV-related illnesses has declined considerably, and substantial progress has been made in reducing the stigma of the disease.
But this good news hides the enormous task that still lies ahead. Last year 1.5 million people died of HIV-related illnesses, and it is the leading cause of death among young women worldwide.
Much of the progress that has been made has been achieved by increasing the availability of antiretroviral therapy. But of the 35 million people living with AIDS/HIV, only 37 per cent have access to treatment – leaving around 23 million people without.
Antiretroviral therapy helps to supress the HIV virus, and prevent the progression of the disease, and mothers who take the drugs during pregnancy reduce the risk of transmitting it to their child.
Chasing Zero is a Christian organisation committed to seeing the end of AIDS-related deaths worldwide. Founder and Chief Executive, Joel Wallington, says: "The increase of antiretroviral treatment being made available is helping people sustain longer and healthier lives, [but] we certainly haven't finished the job."
In the last decade, the number of people contracting HIV and dying from HIV-related illnesses has declined considerably, and substantial progress has been made in reducing the stigma of the disease.
But this good news hides the enormous task that still lies ahead. Last year 1.5 million people died of HIV-related illnesses, and it is the leading cause of death among young women worldwide.
Much of the progress that has been made has been achieved by increasing the availability of antiretroviral therapy. But of the 35 million people living with AIDS/HIV, only 37 per cent have access to treatment – leaving around 23 million people without.
Antiretroviral therapy helps to supress the HIV virus, and prevent the progression of the disease, and mothers who take the drugs during pregnancy reduce the risk of transmitting it to their child.
Chasing Zero is a Christian organisation committed to seeing the end of AIDS-related deaths worldwide. Founder and Chief Executive, Joel Wallington, says: "The increase of antiretroviral treatment being made available is helping people sustain longer and healthier lives, [but] we certainly haven't finished the job."