ABSTRACT

This chapter will explore the epidemiology of the African HIV/AIDS epidemic over the last 35 years, and discusses the measures and policies implemented to treat those infected with HIV and prevent new infections during that period. The watershed moment for tackling the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa was the acceptance of the Millennium Development Goals by the global community, which recognised the disease as a development issue and accelerated the international response, which became dominated by biomedical technologies. The result has been some very dramatic reductions in mortality due to HIV/AIDS in the region and sustained decreases in new infections since 2000. This has led many to suggest that the end of the epidemic is in sight.