Publications
HST provides free electronic access to over 500 health systems research related reports, publications and papers. Close to 300 of these are publications that have been commissioned and funded by the Trust. Topics include among others district systems development, drug supply management, human resource development, informatics, legislation, finance, environmental health, mental health, lessons learnt, nutrition and sexually transmitted diseases / HIV/AIDS. The main publication of the HST is the annual South African Health Review. From 2005 all HST publications will be available in low resolution only. To explore the range of publications HST offers use the Advanced search to search using a variety of criteria.

In the second half of 2004, the number of people on antiretroviral (ARV) therapy in developing and transitional countries increased dramatically from 440 000 to an estimated 700 000. This fi gure represents about 12% of the approximately 5.8 million people currently needing treatment in developing and transitional countries and includes people receiving ARV therapy supported by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the United States Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the World Bank and other partners.

In sub-Saharan Africa, the number of people on treatment doubled from 150 000 to 310 000 in just six months. In Botswana, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia the number of people receiving treatment increased by more than 10 000 in each country. Botswana, Namibia and Uganda now have an estimated ARV therapy coverage that exceeds one quarter of all people needing treatment, and 13 countries in the region have exceeded 10% coverage. This region now has well over 700 sites that can deliver ARV therapy.

In East, South and South-East Asia, 100 000 people were on treatment by the end of 2004, twice the number reported six months previously. Thailand is leading the way, expanding treatment access to all districts with more than 900 ARV therapy facilities and starting more than 3000 people on treatment every month.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, access to ARV therapy continued to improve. Brazil has led the way by providing access to ARV therapy for its entire population, but nine more countries also have estimated coverage rates exceeding 50%. Progress in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, North Africa and the Middle East has generally been much slower.

Initial data show that treatment success rates in developing countries are just as good as those in affluent industrialized countries. Adherence to regimens is as high as 90% and treatment benefi ts to individuals are dramatic, with survival rates exceeding 90% after one year and 80% after two years of ARV therapy.