AIDS is one of the most significant challenges of the new millennium. Communities with serious epidemics face increasing poverty, significant reductions in life expectancy, and weakened health and educational institutions – negative effects that will be felt for generations. Despite substantial investments in AIDS prevention programs worldwide, 45 million new infections are predicted within the next eight years. In light of these alarming figures, UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, recently called on governments around the world to honor their pledge and provide ”leadership at all levels to step up the work to scale up towards universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010.”