Provincial rates of HIV are increasing among heterosexual partners including women, and their children. HIV infection in 1997 among Ontario women is estimated at 6/10,000 women, three times estimates from 1992. If these estimates are accurate we need to step up prevention of heterosexual transmission. The transmission of HIV infection cannot yet be undone at a later time.

  Prevention can save health and lossage costs (estimated to be about $100,000-700,000 per HIV patient). Lives are also saved with prevention.

# 1: Number of prevalent HIV infections in Canada (end of) 1999 compared to number of prevalent HIV infections in Canada 1996

MSM

MSM-IDU

IDU

Hetero

Other

Total

29,600
(26,000-33,400)

2,100
(1,700-2,600)

9,700
(8,100-11,800)

8,000
(6,300-10,100)

400
(330-470)

49,800
(45,000-54,600)

25,300

1,700

7,100

5,500

500

40,100

Bureau of HIV/AIDS, STD and TB, Centre for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Health Canada

# 2: Number of incident HIV infections in Canada 1999 compared to number of prevalent HIV infections in Canada 1996

MSM

MSM-IDU

IDU

Hetero

Other

Total

1,610
(1,190-2,060)

270
(190-360)

1,430
(1,030-1,860)

880
(610-1,170)

0

4,190
(3,310-5,150)

1,240

290

1,970

700

0

4,200

Bureau of HIV/AIDS, STD and TB, Centre for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Health Canada