Turn the Tide, Stop with Me.'

Turn the Tide, Stop with Me.'

The first HIV case in Taiwan was reported in 1984. By 2012, the number of HIV patients had accumulated to 24,239 (9,725 of whom had developed full-blown AIDS with 3,771 deaths). The number of HIV infections surged in 2005 due to a major increase of infections among injecting drug users (IDUs). Facing with this serious situation, Taiwan CDC worked with other department to dedicate a tremendous amount of effort and resources to harm reduction programs. Total reported cases dropped in 2006, which was the first trend reversal since 1984 (See Figure 2-1). In 2008 and thereafter, the epidemic took a turn; infections were mainly noted among men who have sex with men (MSM). In face of the rising AIDS epidemic, the most pressing course of action is the reinforcement of the health education campaign and intervention programs for the MSM group.