HIV is spreading faster in Asia than in Africa, and the epidemic is worsening due to complacent governments, inadequate health infrastructure and widespread stigma, according to a report released on Tuesday by ActionAid-Asia, the AP/Las Vegas Sun reports. About 7.2 million people in Asia are HIV-positive, five million of whom live in China and India, and an estimated 500,000 people died of AIDS-related complications in Asia last year, according to the AP/Sun (Joshi, AP/Las Vegas Sun, 11/25). According to the report, titled "Time to Act," low HIV prevalence rates in countries such as India and China are masking the large number of HIV-positive people and the existence of HIV/AIDS "hotspots." The report also says that economic development initiatives are being undermined by the epidemic and that inadequate legal frameworks have left HIV-positive people open to discrimination and stigmatization. In addition, "falling budgets ... , privatization of health services, poor health practices and contaminated blood supplies" have increased demands on the countries' health care systems, the report says (ActionAid-Asia release, 11/25). The AIDS epidemic is "both a cause and consequence of poverty and human rights violations," according to the report. The report urges Asian governments to learn from successful HIV/AIDS initiatives in other countries and work together to ensure a price reduction on essential medicines, such as antiretroviral drugs (AP/Las Vegas Sun, 11/25). "Compassion and a humane response are necessary to deal with AIDS," John Samuel, director of ActionAid-Asia, said, adding that "compassion cannot be a substitute for government action. ... Recognizing the needs and rights of people living with HIV/AIDS, ensuring their welfare and enabling access to affordable medicines should be the priority" (ActionAid-Asia release, 11/25).