The Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has hailed a turning point in the fight against HIV/AIDS, reporting that the trajectory of the epidemic has been broken. Their global report, released ahead of World AIDS Day on Dec 1, showed 20% decreases in new infections in the past decade and in AIDS-related deaths in the past 5 years. Of 63 countries monitored during 2001-09, the yearly rate of new HIV infections had stabilised or decreased by more than 25% in 56 countries, including 34 in sub-Saharan Africa. Prevention programmes will be further boosted by Pope Benedict XVI's indication that use of condoms is acceptable in certain circumstances, such as sex work, if the intention isto reduce risk of infection.
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