AIDS Ravages Sub-Saharan Africa.

• Position: Quiz about AIDS in Africa

AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is a deadly disease believed to have originated in Africa in the 1950s. The disease kills or impairs cells of the human immune system. When that occurs, the body loses its ability to fight infections and some cancers. Contrary to what many people believe, persons of any age, race, or lifestyle can contract AIDS. But decades after the first reported infection, sub-Saharan Africa remains the region most seriously affected by the disease. This graph shows the number of AIDS deaths each year in the United States and in sub-Saharan Africa.

Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.), and UNAIDS, a coalition of seven UN agencies (Africa).

1. Approximately how many Africans died of AIDS in 19907 (a) 260,000; (b) 490,000; (c) 400,000.

2. How long did it take for Africa's annual AIDS deaths to rise from 1 to 2 million?

3. In 1987, a new AIDS drug, AZT, helped slow the rise in AIDS deaths in the U.S. About 16,000 Americans died of AIDS in that year. Approximately how many Africans died of AIDS in 1987? (a) 80,000; (b)...