HIV-Aids and STD's

Global Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS, STDs, & STIs

Globally there are two different types of HIV epidemics. In “concentrated” epidemics, transmission occurs largely in defined vulnerable groups such as sex workers, gay men and other men who have sex with men, and people who use injection drugs. In “generalized” epidemics, transmission is sustained by sexual behavior in the general population and would persist despite effective programs for vulnerable groups. North America has a concentrated epidemic whereas sub-Saharan Africa has a generalized epidemic. HIV epidemic and assess the effectiveness of prevention efforts, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) estimates the number of people living with HIV (prevalence) and the number of new HIV infections in one year (incidence).