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"Confronting AIDS: Public Priorities in a Global Epidemic" 

 Main Findings

 Summary and Table of Contents  

 Background Materials

The impact of AIDS in developing countries is serious
AIDS is reversing decades of progress in improving quality of life in developing countries. HIV is continuing to spread and is increasing poverty in the developing world. Every day, 8,500 people become infected.

There are clear prevention priorities
It is a fundamental responsibility of government to ensure that HIV is prevented among those with the riskiest behavior, while protecting them from stigmatization. This is the most effective way of preventing HIV among the whole population.

It is important to act now
Early government action in countries with low levels of infection can save millions of lives. Half the population of developing countries—2.3 billion people—live in countries where there is still time to prevent a widespread epidemic.

Presentations based on Confronting AIDS

These presentations, by Martha Ainsworth and Mead Over, Senior Economists, Development Research Group, World Bank, authors of Confronting AIDS, address the role of government in combatting AIDS, and graphically present the key findings and recommendations of the report. Currently available are 1) Plenary Speech to the Xth International Conference on AIDS and STDs in Africa December 8, 1997, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, and 2) Plenary Speech to the 5th Pan-American Conference on AIDS December 3-6, 1997, Lima, Peru (in English and Spanish). An additional seminar by Martha Ainsworth is available in French.

Articles based on Confronting AIDS

A collection of recent articles from various World Bank publications based on the findings of Confronting AIDS, and focusing on particular aspects and regions.

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Summary and Table of Contents (français, español)

Foreword Introduction Table of Contents Summary

1. AIDS: A Challenge for Government 2. Strategic Lessons from the Epidemiology of HIV 3. Efficient and Equitable Strategies for Preventing HIV/AIDS 4. Coping with the Impact of AIDS 5. Working Together To Confront HIV/AIDS 6. Lessons from the Past, Opportunities for the Future

Acrobat/PDF files for the report's summary are available in English, Arabic, French, Portugese, and Russian from World Bank Publications.