Young people and AIDS in Thailand and South East Asia

In 1999, 1.5 million Asians were infected with HIV (compared to 5.6 million people worldwide).² The epidemic, spurred by the sex industry and intravenous drug use in south east Asia, is tragically concentrated among the young: 50% of the 6.5 million living with the infection worldwide are under 25.³ There is great cause for concern, but also vast potential for change and, until there is a vaccine, prevention is the key. Thailand's example offers proof that prevention efforts in many Asian countries can meet with success if they are well conceived and applied. As in Thailand, youth is a key factor in combating the epidemic for the rest of south east Asia.