AIDS Ignorance

UNITED NATIONS, November 29, 2007 -- More than 25 years after HIV was discovered, one-third of the people in seven wealthy nations admit they know little or nothing about the global HIV and AIDS issue; one-fourth believe the problems associated with HIV and AIDS globally are "greatly exaggerated," according to a survey released today by World Vision, the international humanitarian organization.

In addition, a great majority across the G7 nations want to see their governments doing much more in the battle against HIV and AIDS globally: 80 percent say their government should do much more to help children who are orphaned by AIDS and AIDS-related illnesses around the world; 78% say their government should do much more to help people gain access to AIDS treatment around the world; and 75% want their government to do much more to help prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS around the world. 44 percent are willing to pay more in taxes to help fund prevention, treatment, research and care.

"This survey represents a clarion call to those of us on the front lines of the AIDS battle - leaders must put a face on the pandemic because, for people to take action, AIDS must affect them in a personal way," says Richard E. Stearns, president of World Vision, U.S. "While some of these results present daunting challenges, we can be encouraged with the finding that the more people know about AIDS, the more compassionate they are toward those directly affected by it."

In addition, the survey, conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs, the global polling and market research firm, reveals that 90 percent of the respondents believe we have a "moral obligation" to try to prevent people from being infected with the AIDS virus.

"The fact that nine out of 10 across all seven nations agree on this issue of a moral obligation is extraordinary," said Sam McGuire, Senior Vice President of Ipsos Public Affairs. "These are extremely high levels and it shows that we must continue striving to find a solution."

The seven nations surveyed were: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, all members of the G-8. Russia, the eighth member, was not surveyed because of financial considerations.

Stearns noted that the World Vision "Index of Concern" finds Canada leading the seven nations for the highest level of empathy its residents feel toward those affected by HIV and AIDS globally, with Japan ranking last. In between (in order) are: France, Germany, USA, Italy and UK. The World Vision Index of Concern is a proprietary index that combines into one measure six facet of concern about HIV and AIDS globally.

At a United Nations press conference today, two days before World AIDS Day (December 1), Stearns urged all world leaders - not those of only the seven nations surveyed - to take note: Seventy percent of those surveyed believe their governments should place a "high priority" on education programs for children both at home and abroad.

"AIDS is the greatest humanitarian disaster of our time, maybe of all time, and children represent our greatest hope in turning the tide against this deadly disease," Stearns says. "To the leaders of the seven governments whose citizens were surveyed, to the leaders of the UN and World Bank, to my NGO colleagues, when history judges us, one question will be, `What did you do to stop the calamity of AIDS?'"

NOTE: Today's release of the report marks the launch of the World Vision Global Vigil, leading into World AIDS Day. The 24-hour vigil, which began this morning in Toronto, is scheduled to take place in 17 cities around the globe, ending in New York at 9 am (Eastern), November 30, at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. For more information, contact Laura Blank, 646.245.2496, [email protected]

For more information on this press release, please contact:

Amy Parodi World Vision [email protected]

Or

Sam McGuire Ipsos (646) 313-7663 [email protected]

About World Vision:

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization, dedicated to helping children, their families and communities reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice worldwide. We serve all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. World Vision has been addressing the international AIDS crisis for nearly 20 years. The organization's first programming helped Ugandan children orphaned by AIDS and their foster families; provided care for HIV-infected infants and children in Romania; and helped young women and girls in Thailand escape prostitution. Today, World Vision has AIDS programs in more than 60 countries, and last year, served nearly 2 million people with HIV-prevention education, and AIDS care and assistance. For more information, please visit: www.worldvision.org/press

About Ipsos Public Affairs Ipsos Public Affairs is one of the company's five research specializations. In the US, it has offices in New York City, Washington, DC, Chicago and Seattle. It specializes in corporate reputation, issues management, strategic communications and sociopolitical trends, serving the needs of corporations, non-profit organizations, public relations firms, news media and governments. Its toolbox for conducting tailor-made solutions includes rapid turnaround quantitative polling, qualitative focus groups, online panels, elite and stakeholder interviewing, syndicated subscriptions, and proprietary research techniques. Ipsos Public Affairs is well known as the polling partner of The Associated Press, the world's oldest and largest news organization.

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About Ipsos Ipsos is a leading global survey-based market research company, owned and managed by research professionals. Ipsos helps interpret, simulate, and anticipate the needs and responses of consumers, customers, and citizens around the world.

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