World AIDS Day 2012: Getting to Zero

World AIDS Day highlights

• Note for the media

  World AIDS Day 2012: Closing in on global HIV targets

  "Getting to Zero: Zero new HIV infections. Zero deaths from AIDS-related illness. Zero discrimination" is the theme of World AIDS Day 2012. Given the spread of the epidemic today, getting to zero may sound difficult but significant progress is underway.

• Feature story

  Living with HIV when one partner is positive and the other is negative

  WHO estimates that globally as many as half of all HIV-positive people in long-term relationships have HIV-negative partners – forming what are known as serodiscordant couples. It is estimated that half of people living with HIV still do not know that they are infected, and many people do not know their partner’s status.

• Statement

  Statement on HIV testing and counseling: WHO, UNAIDS re-affirm opposition to mandatory HIV testing

  HIV testing and counselling is a critical and essential gateway to HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support services. WHO and UNAIDS do not support mandatory or compulsory testing of individuals on public health grounds.

• Video [streaming wmv 00:01:04]

  • Helping to get 15 million people onto antiretroviral treatment by 2015
    Just over half of the 15 million people who need antiretroviral treatment are getting it. One key to increasing access to treatment is scaling up of voluntary testing and counseling, so that people who need treatment including couples know their HIV status and access the treatment they need.