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Introductioncases, the region has the second largestprevalence of HIV/AIDS in the world(because of the large population base), aproblem that can get exacerbated by thehigh levels of inequality, poverty, socialstigma and discrimination that couldenhance the vulnerability of people to theinfection. There are several reasons forthis. Low and inappropriate compositionof public expenditure on basic services inmost countries limits the access of thepoor to health facilities. This reflects thepressure of competing priorities onlimited public resources. The quality ofpublic services is also a matter of concern.The high proportion of the informal sectorin economic activity and lack of adequatesocial security also add to the vulnerabilityof the poor. There is very high mobility ofpeople in the region, especially asTable 1.1Regional estimates of HIV/AIDS–2002Region Epidemic Adults and Adult Percentage of Main mode(s) ofstarted children living prevalence women among transmission for adultswith HIV/AIDS rate*(%) HIV- positive living with HIV/AIDSadultsSub-Saharan late 1970s– 29,400,000 8.8 58 Heterosexual sexAfricaearly 1980sNorth Africa and late 1980s 550,000 0.3 55 Heterosexual sex,West Asiainjecting drug useSouth and South late 1980s 6,000,000 0.6 36 Heterosexual sex,East Asiainjecting drug useEast Asia and late 1980s 1,200,000 0.1 24 Heterosexual sex,Pacificinjecting drug use,sexual transmissionamong men who havesex with menLatin America late 1970s– 1,500,000 0.6 30 Heterosexual sex,early 1980sinjecting drug use,sexual transmissionamong men who havesex with menCaribbean late 1970s– 440,000 2.4 50 Heterosexual sex,early 1980ssexual transmissionamong men who havesex with menEastern Europe & early 1990s 1,200,000 0.6 27 Injecting drug useCentral AsiaWestern Europe late 1970s– 570,000 0.3 25 Sexual transmissionearly 1980samong men who havesex with men, injectingdrug useNorth America late 1970s– 980,000 0.6 20 Heterosexual sex,early 1980sinjecting drug use,sexual transmissionamong men who havesex with menAustralia and late 1970s– 15,000 0.1 7 Sexual transmissionNew Zealand early 1980s among men who havesex with menTotal 42,000,000 1.2 50* The proportion of adults (15 to 49 years of age) living with HIV/AIDS in 2001, using 2001 population numbers.Source: UNAIDS/WHO, 20024Regional Human Development ReportHIV/AIDS and Development in South Asia 2003