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HIV/AIDS Overview

"People living with HIV infection require protein within a balanced diet to maintain the body’s response to infection and the ability to process medications. Soy may be ideally suited to help meet their requirements for high-quality protein, calories, and more."

— Cade Fields-Gardner, MS, RD, LD, CD,
HIV-specialist dietitian and WISHH consultant.

The Impact of HIV/AIDS

UNAIDS estimates that there are nearly 40 million (between 34-47 million) people living with HIV infection and AIDS (PLHA) in the world as of December 2006. In 2006 alone, an estimated 4.3 million people were infected (range 3.6-6.6 million), including more than a half million children. AIDS-related illnesses claimed between 2.5-3.5 million people, including up to a half million children, in 2006 alone. (AIDS Epidemic Update: Global Summary December 2006)

There continues to be a dim outlook for much of hard-hit subSaharan Africa. Though the reports seem pessimistic, there has been some progress and reason for optimism. Where it is successful, efforts at treatment may extend life expectancy for PLHA, helping to slow or even reverse the downward trend in social and economic issues in highly affected countries. UNAIDS estimates that HIV prevalence rates may have been mildly reduced in some countries for certain age groups.

UNAIDS, the WFP, and other organizations have recognized the important supportive role that nutrition plays in fighting the AIDS pandemic. Guidelines have been issued by international organizations and assisted in development for many countries heavily affected by HIV. Food aid efforts can be targeted to impact HIV-prevalent regions and can include a range of activities from income generation and microcredit to emergency feeding responses. (UNAIDS – Linking Research and Action, Rethinking Food Aid to Fight AIDS – 2004)

Whether the effort in nutrition and HIV/AIDS is targeted to social, economic, or medical issues it is clear that food and nutrition are essential features of both prevention and treatment efforts. Programs that are designed to support and enhance medical efforts also recognize nutrition and food as a part of medical care and treatment. It is essential for donors, implementers, and beneficiaries to understand the role that nutrition plays to improve outcomes for PLHAs and their communities in order to appropriately assess needs and design targeted interventions.

Soy's Nutritional Value for those with HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS and malnutrition often operate in tandem, says the United Nations Administrative Committee on Coordination Sub-Committee on Nutrition. This is particularly true in resource limited settings where poor nutrition can be endemic. Poor nutrition increases the risk and progression of disease. In turn, disease exacerbates malnutrition. Where anti-HIV therapies are available, nutrition efforts are complementary to support effectiveness of medications. The importance of nutrition intervention is amplified where medications are unavailable.

The vast majority of recommended calorie-containing nutritional supplement products contain soy ingredients for optimum nutrition:

WISHH HIV/AIDS Activities

The WISHH program seeks to help make soy nutritional benefits available to HIV/AIDS infected and affected populations. WISHH activities for people living with AIDS (men, women, and children), and other family members are:


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