The complex challenge of HIV/AIDS care: a global perspective: an update from XIIIth International AIDS Conference.

This article provides an overview of important findings and discussion from the XIIIth International AIDS Conference held in Durban, South Africa, July 2000. It addresses global epidemiology, the sociopolitical impact of HIV disease, newer strategies to combat disease including medications and microbicides, advances laying the groundwork for vaccine development, and concerns about the economics of care. It highlights the need to recognize the complexity of the threat to the well-being of the entire global village posed by this epidemic.