WASHINGTON--16 May--PRNewswire-AsiaNet/InfoQuest ThaiMyths.com ( http://www.thaimyths.com ), a project of USA For Innovation, unveiled Myth #5 today to draw attention to the deceit in Thailand's decision to steal American and European innovation. Each business day for two weeks from May 7 - May 18, ThaiMyths.com will release additional information regarding one of the ten recent myths by the Health Minister Mongkol na Songkhla. Today's Myth: #5 of 10 Myth: Thailand is in the middle of an AIDS crisis. Fact: While every case of AIDS is a tragedy, Thailand's HIV infection rate is relatively low. The country's current situation does not meet the definition of a "crisis." FACT: Countries across the world are facing an AIDS crisis. Life expectancy in Swaziland has dropped from 51 years to 39 in just a decade as a direct result of the AIDS epidemic. "The Swaziland HIV/AIDS prevalence rate of 38.6 percent. ... The majority of deaths occur among young people aged 15-49, the nation's most productive population segment. Particularly high infection rates of up to 47.3 percent are found among women 15-24 years of age, and up to 18.3 percent among men in the same age group. Life expectancy at birth in the mid-1990s was 51 years, but it has dropped rapidly to 39.4 as a direct result of AIDS." (USAID, Accessed 5/11/07) Almost one-quarter of Botswana's adult population is HIV positive. "Botswana is among the countries hardest hit by AIDS. In 2005 there were an estimated 270,000 people living with HIV. This, in a country with a total population below two million, gives Botswana an adult HIV prevalence rate of 24.1%. (AVERT, Accessed 5/11/07) Nearly 1,000 die every day in South Africa because of AIDS. "South Africa is currently experiencing one of the most severe AIDS epidemics in the world. By the end of 2005, there were five and a half million people living with HIV in South Africa, and almost 1,000 AIDS deaths occurring every day." (AVERT, Accessed 5/11/07) Thailand's neighbor Burma faces "An AIDS epidemic that will soon eclipse the worst situation in Africa." "Burma is facing an AIDS epidemic that will soon eclipse the worst situation in Africa, according to medical experts in Thailand. It's the worst ever incidence of the disease in the region. United Nations statistics are at least two years out of date and could be understatingtrue infection rates by at least half. AIDS specialist Dr. Chris Beyrer, a US researcher at the John Hopkins University, says UN figures suggest 2% of adults in Burma have HIV, the virus that can lead to AIDS. Dr. Beyrer says the figure is nearer 4%." (BBC, Accessed 5/11/07) FACT: Due to the country's past successes dealing with the spread of HIV, Thailand's current AIDS situation is not a "crisis." Cri?sis: Pronunciation: 'krI-s&s; Function: Noun; "An Unstable Or Crucial Time Or State Of Affairs In Which A Decisive Change Is Impending." (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Accessed 5/10/07) The U.S. State Department of Thailand: "HIV/AIDS was estimated to have infected approximately 1.5 percent of the population." ("Thailand," States News Service, 3/6/07) FACT: Thailand's current government programs do not suggest the government believes the country is in crisis. The United Nations found that Thailand's public information and AIDS education campaigns were "faint" and public concern about the disease had "ebbed." "Thailand, which had been considered a 'global model' in fighting HIV/AIDS, has 'lost its momentum' in its efforts to combat the epidemic, according to a report released on Thursday by United Nations Development Programme. The report, 'Thailand's Response to HIV/AIDS,' says that the country's public information and education campaigns are 'faint'; publicconcern about the disease has 'ebbed.'" (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, "Global Challenges," 7/8/04) In the 1980s, when the Thai government recognized the country faced a crisis, public officials acted accordingly. "During the 1980s, Thailand was considered to be 'on the verge' of an HIV/AIDS 'explosion,' and it was estimated that four million people living with HIV/AIDS would die by 2002. However, the country undertook massive efforts to combat the disease and improved its 'track record." (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, "Global Challenges," 7/8/04) The United Nations on Thailand: "Funding for HIV/AIDS programs 'no longer matches the renewed threat.'" (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, "Global Challenges," 7/8/04) About USA For Innovation and ThaiMyths.com USA For Innovation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of intellectual property and continued innovation around the globe. USA For Innovation educates decision makers, the media and general public about threats to innovation. ThaiMyths.com is a project of USA For Innovation intended to expose the web of deceit by Thailand's Health Ministry. For additionalinformation, please contact us at 866-646-8668 or [email protected] SOURCE: USA For Innovation CONTACT: USA For Innovation, +1-866-646-8668, [email protected] Web site: http://www.thaimyths.com --Distributed by AsiaNet ( www.asianetnews.net )--