In 2004, 4.9 million people became newly infected with HIV, the greatest number in any one year since the beginning of the epidemic.

At the global level, the number of people living with HIV continues to grow - from 37.8 million in 2003 to 39.1 million in 2004. Over 3 million people died from AIDS in 2004.

Over 23 million have died since the first cases of AIDS were identified in 1981.

Sub-Saharan Africa has the world’s highest prevalence and faces the greatest demographic impact.