h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Ý Of the 36.1 million people living with HIV or AIDS world-wide, 25.3 million live in Sub-Saharan Africa. That's one in 10 African adults.

Ý Africa is home to 70% of the adults and 80% of the children living with HIV, and has buried three-quarters of the more than 20 million people worldwide who have died of AIDS since the epidemic began.

Ý Some 2.4 million people died of AIDS-related diseases in Africa this year – more than those killed by war, famine and flood combined.

Ý Because of AIDS, Zimbabwe's life expectancy is down to 42 from 65.

Ý One in four women aged 20 to 29 are infected with AIDS in South Africa.

Ý In Kenya, 40% of all hospital beds are occupied by AIDS patients.

Ý In Burundi, it's 70%.

Ý More than 10 million Ethiopians will die of AIDS in the next 10 years.

Am I the only one who is scared by this?

Not at all. I am terrified of AIDS. I have already seen three people die from the disease, one being my uncle. I know about five others who are living with AIDS. In the so called golden age of technology people are living as if they don't have a care in the world and unless it directly affects them they don't care. I find this very worrisome. It seems like the world is getting more apathetic everyday.

Courtney

BTW Hi it nice to meet you

Yeah, it's not just in Africa that AIDS is a problem... Africa is just where it's believed to have started. Many people all over the world are living with AIDS, but not enough is being done. I guess it's easy for me to say this, because I've never been directly affected by HIV or AIDS, but it does seem like no one cares until it happens to them or someone they love. One of the most important things to do is to promote awareness, and above all understanding and compassion. People need to open their eyes, and their hearts.

-Godgirl

I agree completely