HIV/AIDS, Malaria, TB, and Other DIseases

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HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis are working together to kill the world’s poorest people who are most vulnerable to these diseases. Together these diseases caused an estimated 6 million deaths in 2004.

HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and other preventable diseases are an obstacle to true development because these diseases perpetuate the cycle of poverty.

HIV/AIDS

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system, making the body unable to defend against infections. AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is the condition caused when HIV has severely depleted the immune system and the body becomes unable to fight off infections and cancers.

Malaria

According to the World Health Organization, malaria is one of the world's most common and serious tropical diseases. The already sick, malnourished, young, old, and weak are particularly at risk of death from malaria.

More than 41 percent of the world's population is at risk of acquiring malaria, and the proportion increases yearly due to deteriorating health systems, growing drug and insecticide resistance, climate change, and war.

Every 30 seconds, an African child dies from a malaria infection transmitted by a mosquito bite.

Every day 25 million pregnant African women risk severe illness and harm to the unborn children from a malaria infection.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis has killed more people than any disease in history. It is a disease of poverty. It is widely recognized that the poorer the community, the greater the likelihood of being infected with it. A lack of basic health services, poor nutrition and inadequate living conditions all contribute to the spread of TB and its impact upon the community.

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