The World Health Organization (WHO) states that 80 percent of the world's population -- nearly 4.8 billion people -- are at risk because their nations' blood supplies are unsafe and may spread HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and other infectious diseases, the New York Times reports.

People living in developing nations face the highest risk. Underfunded public health programs and inadequate social policies are the greatest factor contributing to tainted blood supplies, as are poor testing methods and the widespread practice of paying donors, WHO reports. Also, contaminated hospital equipment is often reused, further adding to the problem.

In many developing nations, where health care budgets per capita are sometimes as low as $15 annually, women of childbearing age are among the most vulnerable, the International Women's Health Coalition reports. This is because they give birth often and are frequently anemic.

Due to contaminated blood supplies, WHO estimates tens of thousands of people will contract HIV and hepatitis B and C, which can cause liver failure and liver cancer.

The report's release preceded news that WHO will join forces with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to improve blood supply safety worldwide.

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040700who-aids.html