HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean

The Caribbean region is second only to Sub-Saharan Africa in HIV prevalence with an estimated adult HIV prevalence rate of 2.3% in 2003.  Approximately 430,000 adults and 23,000 children are living with HIV in the region.  HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death among adults in the 15-44 age group. 

The epidemic is not just a health problem, but a development and economic problem as it affects the most productive human resources and re-directs efforts from productive activities to HIV/AIDS treatment and care.  If the prevalence of HIV in the Caribbean region continues to increase and maintains its negative effects on production and savings, per capita growth will significantly decline.

 

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