information for practice

This report takes stock of some of the most important actions and changes for children affected by HIV/AIDS that have taken place in the first year of Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS. Among other developments, the report finds that children and AIDS had by 2006 become more clearly integrated into national policy frameworks, including national plans of action (NPAs) and poverty reduction strategy papers (PRSPs) in at least 20 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. It finds increasing numbers of children now receiving treatment as a result of improved testing, lower drug prices and simpler formulations. It reports that in several countries, behaviour change has translated into declining HIV prevalence among young people. And the disparity between orphans and non-orphans in access to education has been reduced in several countries. Over the past year, there has been a broad, growing recognition of the need to intensify and accelerate actions towards universal access to comprehensive prevention, treatment, care and support. Commitment to this goal by 2010 was affirmed by Heads of State and Government and their representatives participating in the 2006 High-Level Meeting on AIDS held at the United Nations in New York, 31 May–2 June 2006.