HIV/AIDS in Latin American Countries: The Challenges Ahead

Compared to most countries in Africa and to nearby islands in the Caribbean, most Latin American countries have not faced a full-scale AIDS epidemic—yet. A number of recent trends suggest, however, that if Latin America does not take appropriate prevention measures soon, incidence levels could reach epidemic proportions.

Sound and timely policies can limit the current and future impact of HIV/AIDS on Latin American health care systems, economies, and societies. Many countries in Latin America have shown their willingness to address the scope and special nature of the HIV/AIDS problem; since the late 1980s these countries have developed new structures and the groundwork needed for community responses. However, many challenges still lie ahead.

'HIV/AIDS in Latin American Countries' presents new and updated information about the extent and trends of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Latin America; it evaluates current national surveillance capacities, and assesses the national responses of the health sector to the epidemic on a country-by-country basis. Based on analyses of secondary information and on new World Bank sponsored research and country-level data, the study looks at 17 countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela, and Uruguay.