Countries need to craft a new response – calls the Independent Commission on AIDS in Asia New York—Even after two decades, AIDS remains the most likely cause of death and work days lost among 15-44 years-olds in Asia warns the independent Commission on AIDS in Asia.These findings were released today in a report entitled “Redefining AIDS in Asia – Crafting an effective response” by an independent Commission, consisting of nine members across Asia and led by Dr C. Rangarajan, Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister of India.

World TB Day is an occasion to urge action to stop tuberculosis, a disease which still kills an appalling 4,000 people every day. The man-made multi-drug resistant strain and its even more lethal form, extensively drug-resistant TB, are both spreading.

The World Health Organization (WHO) report, Global

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS commends the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee approval of the “Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde Global Leadership on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008.” The United States leadership role in the global response to AIDS is critical and today’s action demonstrates the U.S. commitment to this effort.

HIV/AIDS implementers from around the world will gather in Kampala, Uganda from June 3-7 for the 2008 HIV/AIDS Implementers’ Meeting. Recognizing the rapid expansion of HIV/AIDS programs worldwide, the focus of this year’s meeting is building the capacity of local prevention, treatment, and care programs; enhancing quality; and promoting coordination among partners.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS welcomes the news that the United States House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs has approved the “Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde Global Leadership on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008.”

UNAIDS and OHCHR call for greater protection of the human rights of all persons regardless of sexual orientation or HIV status

El ONUSIDA y el ACNUDH piden que mejore la protección de los derechos humanos de todas las personas, sin distinción de su orientación sexual o su estado serológico respecto del VIH

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS urges all parties concerned, including the media, to understand that HIV infection is a condition that requires appropriate treatment and care.

Following the recent publication of an article on antiretroviral treatment and sexual transmission of HIV in the Swiss medical journal ‘Bulletin des médecins suisses’, UNAIDS and WHO reiterate the importance of a comprehensive approach to HIV prevention including correct and consistent use of condoms.