Death rates are highest for younger adults and children under five years old

Which population groups are most at risk from HIV/AIDS?

In the chart, we show death rates by age group. Here we see that the most at-risk group is younger adults (15 to 49-year-olds). Since HIV is primarily a sexually transmitted infection, where unsafe sex is a primary risk factor, this is what we would expect.

But we also see that death rates are higher for children under five; that’s because HIV can be transmitted from mother to child if the mother is infected.

Major International Organizations:

  • UNAIDS: The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS is the leading global advocate for accelerated, comprehensive action on the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Their website provides comprehensive data, reports, and resources. (https://www.unaids.org/)
  • World Health Organization (WHO): The WHO’s HIV/AIDS program offers guidance, tools, and technical support to countries in their efforts to prevent and treat HIV. 
  • AVAC: Advocates for HIV prevention research and implementation. Their site offers insights into the latest developments in prevention methods and advocacy strategies. (https://www.avac.org/)

Africa-Focused Organizations:

  • Avert: Provides extensive information on HIV/AIDS in Africa, including country-specific data, prevention strategies, and personal stories. (https://www.avert.org/professionals/hiv-around-world/sub-saharan-africa)
  • Africaid: A community-based organization working in several African countries. They offer resources on HIV prevention, treatment, and care, with a focus on empowering women and girls. 
  • AIDSFree: A PEPFAR-funded project working to accelerate progress towards HIV epidemic control in Africa. Their site offers updates on initiatives, research findings, and resources for healthcare professionals.
Percentage of people in a specific key population who test positive for HIV.