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Businesses acting against HIV/AIDS - study

    JOHANNESBURG

    Realising that HIV/AIDS would affect their bottom line over the next five years, nearly two-thirds of African businesses are now taking steps to tackle the pandemic, a survey has revealed.

    The World Economic Forum (WEF) survey of 1,620 businesses showed that most were already experiencing some negative effects, ranging from increased absenteeism to higher health care costs for employees.

    Kate Taylor, director of the WEF Global Health Initiative was quoted by Reuters as saying: "Core business is really being affected. Companies are seeing a rise in operating costs, medical costs and even drops in revenue because of HIV/AIDS."

    UNAIDS estimates that four countries in sub-Saharan Africa will see their workforce shrink by as much as 30 percent by 2020, while another 14 will experience losses of 10 to 30 percent because of the disease.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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