amfAR announces a new grant initiative to accelerate the development of topical substances (microbicides) that could neutralize HIV and prevent other sexually transmitted diseases.
In over 27 countries, the HIV infection rate has doubled since 1996. More than 95% of all HIV-infected people now live in the developing world, which has experienced 95% of AIDS deaths to date.
Experts estimate that at least half of all new HIV infections in the U.S. (and worldwide) occur among young people under the age of 25.For the first time in the U.S., a larger proportion of AIDS cases occur among African Americans (41%) than among whites (38%).
Women now account for 23% of AIDS cases in the U.S., as opposed to only 7% in 1985. One-third of new HIV infections occur among women, and young women are at particularly high risk. In sub-Saharan Africa, the epicenter of the global epidemic, 55% of all HIV-positive adults are women.
Scientists identify nevirapine as simpler, more effective, and cheaper than AZT for preventing mother-to-infant HIV transmission in developing countries.
amfAR‘s HIV/AIDS Treatment Directory becomes available in an interactive, online database format.
T-20, one of a new class of anti-HIV drugs called “fusion inhibitors,” begins clinical trials. Efforts are also under way to develop related “binding inhibitors,” many of which target the CCR5 co-receptor discovered by amfAR grantee Dr. Nathaniel Landau.
amfAR staff member Paul Corser dies of AIDS.
U.S. YEAR-END STATISTICS
733,374 cases of AIDS reported to date
430,441 deaths
