The foundation has committed $50 million to support HIV/AIDS prevention efforts in China. Our funding supports priorities in China's national AIDS plan and helps increase access to effective prevention programs that target the people most vulnerable to HIV infection.
The AIDS Situation in China
Although China's national HIV prevalence is low—less than 0.1 percent of the total population—infection rates are high among key risk groups. For example, HIV prevalence among injection drug users exceeds 50 percent in some provinces.
In addition, stigma and discrimination against people with HIV are major problems in China. A 2005 study by researchers in Yunnan province found that nearly one-third of doctors said they would refuse to treat a person with HIV.
By rapidly expanding access to effective prevention methods and reducing stigma and discrimination, China has an opportunity to prevent a widespread HIV/AIDS epidemic.
The Chinese government has made important progress in fighting HIV, including reaching high-risk groups with effective prevention efforts. However, experts warn that far more remains to be done, especially to ensure that prevention programs reach everyone in need.
Funding Priorities
Our funding for HIV prevention in China supports both governmental and nongovernmental programs that are focused on the following priorities:
- Prevention services for high-risk groups: Expanding effective HIV prevention programs that target people most vulnerable to infection, including injection drug users, sex workers, and men who have sex with men.
- HIV testing: Increasing access to HIV counseling and testing to help ensure that people know their HIV status.
- Prevention and support for people living with HIV: Ensuring that people living with HIV receive appropriate care and support, including prevention programs to help reduce high-risk behavior that could pass on the virus to others.
- Stigma reduction: Reducing the stigma of AIDS by educating the general public and those who work with high-risk groups and people living with HIV.
Geographic Focus
Our HIV prevention efforts in China focus on large cities with high rates of new HIV infections.
Partners
We work with a range of partners–including the government, nongovernmental organizations, and other groups–to implement our HIV prevention efforts in China. Our primary partners are:
- Chinese Ministry of Health / State Council AIDS Working Committee Office
- Chinese HIV and STD Association
- Chinese Preventive Medicine Association
China Office
A small team of foundation staff in Beijing administers the China program and provide technical advice and support to the government and other organizations. Dr. Ray Yip, former China director for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, leads our China team.