November 2005

In the World

Germany: The number of new HIV cases in Germany reached 1,164 in the first half of 1005, a 20% increase over the first six months of 2004. Men who have sex with men account for nearly 60% of the new HIV cases, the government reported, adding that the group’s risk of contracting HIV is now nearly double that of 12 years ago. The German health minister “considers this a serious development.”

South Africa: A telethon calling for pledges of action rather than money to fight HIV/AIDS has already brought in 155,900 pledges and more are expected by the end of the year. Pledges included promises to teach children about the disease, get tested for HIV, volunteer at hospitals and charities, encourage others to wear condoms, and support friends living with the disease. The government’s HIV information campaign organized the telethon and local celebrities staffed the phone lines. Supermarkets set up collection boxes and police in Johannesburg assembled a mock road block to collect pledges.

Zimbabwe: “Don’t be Negative about Being Positive,” a campaign by four HIV-positive Zimbabweans against the stigma associated with infection, has been awarded the Global Media Award by Population Services International. This was the first time HIV-positive citizens have been given a platform to discuss their status openly.