Total number of people living with HIV/Aids in 2002: 42 million, of which 5 million are children (UNAIDS 2002).

Number of new cases of HIV/Aids in 2002: 5 million, including 800,000 children (www.avert.org/worldstats.htm).

Number of HIV/Aids deaths in 2002: 3.1 million, including 610,000 children (www.avert.org/worldstats.htm).

Total number of children (under 15) orphaned by HIV/Aids, as of end of 2001: 14 million (www.avert.org/worldstats.htm).

Number of people in Sub-Saharan Africa living with HIV/Aids in 2002: 29.4 million, equivalent to 8.8% of the total population (www.avert.org/worldstats.htm).

Number of people in western Europe living with HIV/Aids in 2002: 570,000, equivalent to 0.3% of the total poplation (www.avert.org/worldstats.htm).

Number of people in the developing world who currently have access to anti-retroviral drugs, which can alleviate the symptoms of HIV/Aids for several years: 280,000 (New York Times, Nov 21 2003)

Average life expectancy of males in Swaziland, Africa: 27 (www.sida.se)

Cost of year long anti-retroviral treatment when supplied by western pharmaceutical companies: $15,000 (San Francisco Chronicle, 20 Nov 2003)

Cost of year-long anti-retroviral treatment when supplied by generic, patent-free manufacturers: $150 (San Francisco Chronicle, 20 Nov 2003)