The most affected region in the world outside Africa. In several countries, including Haiti and the Bahamas, Aids is now the leading cause of death. The UN says the high incidence is mainly driven by the deadly combination of early sexual activity and a high number of sexual partners among young people.

People with HIV:	440,000
New HIV cases in 2002:	60,000
Deaths from Aids in 2002:	42,000
Children (under 15) with Aids by end of 2002:	20,000
Source: UNAIDS, 2002

Aids deaths in 2001
Haiti:	30,000
Dominican Republic:	7,800
Trinidad and Tobago:	1,200
Jamaica:	980
Source: UNAIDS, 2002

From the archive: