Brazil 'winning the battle' against AIDS

Brazil may be winning the battle against the spread of HIV/AIDS, with the prevalence of the disease among its population falling in 2006, according to a new report.

The government study, published yesterday (November 21st), revealed that 0.5 per cent of the Brazilian population was infected with the HIV virus in 2006, a drop of 0.1 per cent from the total in 2005 and the first fall in seven years.

At the same time the report indicated a fall in both the rate of new cases of the disease and in deaths from HIV, with 9,561 people dying from the virus in 2006 compared to 11,100 the previous year.

"Our broad prevention policy is beginning to have a positive impact," said Mariangela Simao, head of the government's AIDS program, according to Reuters.

She added, "Our challenge is to reinforce the quality of the assistance by the public health system and to expand the early diagnosis of the HIV infection."

A recent report published by the Harvard School of Medical Sciences labelled Brazil's HIV/AIDS policy "remarkable", highlighting the country's bargaining with pharmaceutical companies and its commitment to increasing the provision of treatment to as many people as possible.

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