"For the first time since the Black Plague of the 14th century, the population of some African countries is expected to drop as AIDS continues to sweep through rural and urban communities alike..."
"in regions hardest hit by the fatal scourge, life expectancy will plummet to age 30 by the end of the decade — the lowest level in 100 years"
"'The number of people infected with HIV is so unexpectedly high in Zimbabwe that the population rate has already leveled off, said study head Karen Stanecki, of the U.S. Census Bureau’s international population division. By 2003, the growth rate will be declining at a rate of 1 percent to 3 percent per year.'
The situation is similar in Botswana and South Africa, she said."
"In some HIV-infected regions where average life expectancy had been
expected to reach 70 by 2010, the average age of death will instead be 30,
according to the census projections."
|
AIDS Devastation in Zimbabwe |
|
Average life expectancy by 2010 |
30 |
|
Infant mortality rate by 2010 |
11.6% |
|
Children who have lost teachers as a result of AIDS deaths |
86,000 |
|
Percentage of women in prenatal clinics with HIV infection |
47% |
|
Food production losses due to AIDS in communal farming area |
50% |
|
Percentage loss in 2000 GDP due to AIDS |
7% |
|
Percentage of national health budget spent treating AIDS |
60% |
Sources: Robert Windrem/NBC News.
See complete MSNBC story:
http://stacks.msnbc.com/news/430295.asp