With some 720,000 people infected with the HIV virus, Brazil is estimated to have approximately one third of Latin America's HIV-positive population. In response to the epidemic and in support of the Brazilian government's well-recognized commitment to address HIV and AIDS, Merck's Office of Contributions and MSD Brazil provided financial support to HIV programs developed by local nongovernmental organizations, focusing primarily on prevention, education and awareness. These organizations have included Grupo de Amparo ao Doente de AIDS, which supported the creation of a mobile unit for STD/AIDS prevention and assistance to offer pre- and post-test counseling for HIV and AIDS in São Jose do Rio Preto
A number of projects also have focused on adolescents and young adults — an especially vulnerable group. In Brazil, Centro Corsini's 'Prevention Just in Time' project is aimed at increasing screening, diagnosis and early treatment of HIV and AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases among low-income teenagers and adults in the city of Campinas. Another project, 'Prevention: The Sooner The Better' with INMED Partnership for Children, supports sexual health education and information and HIV/STD prevention programs for young people in the town of Francisco Morato, São Paulo.