Many still lack HIV treatment

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) exists. It's designed to help those living with HIV. Yet a recent report revealed that only 31% of HIV positive people in low to middle income countries are receiving the necessary treatment.

Efforts by organizations such has the World Health Organization, UN Aids, and UNICEF have made a dent in the problem. In fact, an extra 950,000 people received treatment last year. But the agencies' goal was to have three million on ART by the end of 2005; that number has still not been reached.

The lacking distribution of ART is largely because of funding, but other factors create barriers as well. The poor health care systems in underdeveloped countries and untrained staffing also inhibit progress. In addition, up to 20% of people in highly infected countries are unaware that they carry the virus.

There is something you can do to help. Have you gone RED yet? Simply purchase services and products that are labeled (Product) RED and a portion of the proceeds will be put toward HIV medication distribution and other AIDS-related charities.