Aids: Growing problem at home and abroad

The global effect of the HIV epidemic is being commemorated as World Aids Day is marked around the world.

To mark the event Tony Blair has launched an appeal to help other nations deal with the epidemic.

The prime minister is to become a co-chairman of the International Aids Trust where he will serve alongside Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela.

"It is my hope that by working together we can help raise awareness, increase political will and mobilise the resources necessary to stem the tide of this epidemic," he said.

Meanwhile international development secretary Hilary Benn has announced that the UK's funding to UNAids would double to £6 million next year.

In London, Aids campaigners were set to place a condom over Nelson's Column in a bid to raise awareness about the safe sex message.

The government has been warned that Britain is facing a growing sexual health problem, with HIV rates increasing steadily amongst the heterosexual population.

One in three Britons who are infected with HIV are currently unaware of their status, according to research.

Pressure groups are demanding a new campaign to promote safe sex coupled with increased investment in sexual health.

In the House of Lords Tory peer Lord Fowler warned that a new campaign is needed to educate younger people about the risks of unprotected sex.

Fowler was health secretary at the time of the initial Aids campaign and he believes that a repeat media offensive is required.

It is estimated that there are currently 50,000 people living with HIV in the UK, the highest number ever.

Studies by the Health Protection Agency, based on blood samples taken from the general population, estimate that about a third of these people have not yet been diagnosed.

In 2002 5,711 people tested positive for HIV in the UK.

The Terence Higgins Trust estimates that the number of people living with diagnosed HIV in the UK is set to increase by 47 per cent between 2000 and 2005.

Transmission through heterosexual sex accounted for nearly 60 per cent of the new cases over the last year.

Globally the Aids epidemic shows no signs of abating - with five million people becoming infected with HIV worldwide and three million dying this year alone.

Shadow health secretary Tim Yeo said people must be aware that there is still no cure for Aids.

"It is awareness days like this which remind people of the dangers of this global disease and the hurt and suffering its causes," he said.

"We have to make a difference by our own actions because doing nothing will only make the situation worse.

"It not just about gay men, or drug users, or black African communities.

"We all have a responsibility to talk freely and openly about this disease and ensure young and older people alike know enough about protecting themselves from infection.

"Without an open and frank debate the stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV and Aids will only get worse and serve as major obstacles to effective HIV/Aids prevention."