Mexico
With less than 1 percent of the adult population estimated to be HIV-positive, Mexico has one of the lowest HIV prevalence rates in Latin America and the Caribbean. Although the overall HIV prevalence is low, UNAIDS estimates that, because of Mexico’s large population, approximately 180,000 people were living with HIV/AIDS in 2005. In 2005, there were 6,200 deaths due to AIDS in Mexico. The epidemic is concentrated in high-risk communities, such as men who have sex with men and commercial sex workers, and has not yet become generalized. This situation presents both a challenge and an opportunity to step up prevention measures to contain the spread of HIV/AIDS in Mexico and in the region.
Through USAID, Mexico in fiscal year 2007 received $2.2 million for essential HIV/AIDS programs and services. USAID/Mexico supports the prevention and control of two diseases that pose a major threat to global health: HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. USAID/Mexico works with Mexico to contain and reduce infection within vulnerable populations and to reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with the disease. USAID/Mexico has achieved the following results:
- Reached more than 150,000 people with behavior change messages in fiscal year 2007
- Reached thousands of prisoners through 360 workshops since 2003, discouraging them from engaging in high-risk behaviors both in and out of prison
- Identified outlets and distributors to increase the availability of condoms among high-risk groups
- Supported a behavioral surveillance study on sexual practices and HIV prevalence in vulnerable populations in Tampico, Monterrey, Acapulco, and Nezahualcóyotl
View the USAID HIV/AIDS Health Profile for Mexico - June 2008 [PDF, 131KB]
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