North America estimated it had around 44,000 new HIV infections in 1999, a significant percentage of them among injecting drug users. Transmission from mother to child was rare, with fewer than 500 new cases in 1997. AIDS-related illnesses are the third leading cause of death for women between the ages of 25 to 44. Women of color, particularly African-American and Latina women, are especially at risk of becoming infected with HIV and together are represented in more than three fourths of all reported AIDS cases among women. Young people under the age of 25 represent one half of all new HIV infections, with the majority infected sexually.
Disadvantaged communities find it hard to access the expensive new drugs.
Older Americans often do not perceive themselves to be at risk for contracting the disease. The following information is a sampling of the work Lutherans are doing in all corners of the world to help prevent the spread of HIV and to minister to those infected and affected by the virus. It was the first time that Muslims and Christians gathered together under the same roof in that area. They had never been on speaking terms before. Today the religious leaders cooperate closely with one another.