| | |  Health & Beauty | August 2008 
Higher Number of HIV Infections Must Translate Into Leadership & Action by U.S. Government
 PRNewswire
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As the world's attention turns to the global HIV/AIDS epidemic with the convening of the International AIDS Conference in Mexico City, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is anticipated to announce on August 3rd significantly higher HIV incidence numbers for the United States. Past estimates have been 40,000 new infections per year; the new number may be more than 25% higher. In reaction to the pending announcement Dr. Gene Copello, Executive Director of The AIDS Institute, issued the following statement:
Let this serve as yet another wake-up call to our government leaders in Washington, D.C., the States and Territories. We cannot turn our backs on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in our own country. HIV/AIDS is devastating many communities, particularly gay men, African Americans, Latinos and injection drug users. The AIDS Institute calls upon President Bush, the Congress, together with both Presidential candidates, to support a National AIDS Strategy and to demonstrate their leadership by committing immediately to preventing HIV in the United States through increased funding for the CDC HIV Prevention programs, and the establishment and implementation of prevention policies and programs based on sound scientific evidence.
For next year, President Bush has proposed to cut the CDC HIV Prevention budget by $1 million. This is on top of this year's budget cut of $3.5 million. Neither the U.S. House of Representatives nor the U.S. Senate has proposed any increased funding for HIV Prevention. This is completely unacceptable, particularly in light of the new incidence numbers. Congress must increase funding for HIV Prevention for next year by at least $30 million. This is far from what is needed, but it is, at least, a necessary first step.
The AIDS Institute calls on the Administration, Congress, and the Presidential candidates to support policies and programs that are scientifically known to prevent HIV prevention, such as comprehensive sex education, HIV testing and counseling, and syringe exchange. Further, we call upon our leaders to commit the resources necessary at the National Institutes of Health to conduct behavioral research and to continue to develop such biomedical prevention approaches as microbicides and a vaccine. The government also needs to end programs and policies that are proven not to work, such as abstinence-only-until-marriage programs.
With the revelation that there are more people being infected with HIV in the U.S. each year means more people will be identified as living with HIV/AIDS. It also means they will need adequate healthcare and lifesaving medications to keep them healthy. Again, we must turn to our government to make sure the necessary resources are there for them.
The United States has made a remarkable, and much needed, commitment to global AIDS through the recent reauthorization and expansion of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). This demonstrated profound leadership on the part of our government. Addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic at home in our own country requires the same leadership, action, and resolve by our leaders, and those aspiring to become our leaders. The clock is running out, there is no better time than right now to end AIDS in America.
For more information and to become involved, please contact The AIDS Institute at: (202) 835-8373, or by email at: Info@theaidsinstitute.org or www.TheAIDSInstitute.org
The AIDS Institute is a national nonprofit agency that promotes action for social change through public policy research, advocacy and education.
The AIDS Institute Website
Bush to Sign AIDS Bill, but Funding Still Missing
PRNewswire
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Today President Bush will sign into law a major new piece of legislation on global AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, but Congress is not providing the money to implement it for fiscal year 2009.
"We deeply appreciate the hard work of everyone involved, in the Congress and the White House, which has led to this crucial legislation, yet, in terms of funding, it appears to be more rhetoric than reality," stated Dr. Paul Zeitz, Executive Director of the Global AIDS Alliance. "Congress should make sure the program is fully funded on day one, since without the money we cannot save more lives. Why is the Congress delaying? We cannot wait until 2010 to get these new programs moving."
"President Bush should also move to immediately implement the bill's provisions, such as by lifting immigration restrictions on people who are HIV positive," said Zeitz. "Thanks to the commitment of Senators Kerry and Smith, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and others, the bill lifts these restrictions, but it is still up to the President to implement the changes necessary."
The bill to be signed tomorrow authorizes $48 billion for global health programs, and it enjoys the backing of both Senators Obama and McCain. Bush's original proposal, for $30 billion, would have kept funding at the current level. Much of the increased funding would go to AIDS programs, with a significant portion dedicated to tuberculosis and malaria programs. But, the bill provides no actual funding on its own, since Congress provides funding on a year by year basis through the separate budget and appropriations process.
For fiscal year 2009, Rep. John Spratt (D-SC) and Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) approved a budget for international programs that was smaller that President Bush requested. Then, just two weeks ago, Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) and Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), who lead key appropriations subcommittees in the House and Senate, approved funding for AIDS, TB and malaria programs at a level far below that suggested by the bill. The 2009 budget may not be finalized until next February, but Congress is likely to base any decision then what was approved earlier in committee.
The appropriations committees approved only very small increases for TB and malaria for 2009, and they provided nothing specific for health system strengthening. The committees also provided essentially no increase for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, even though it is a crucial means of leveraging more money from non-US donors.
This week the UN released a new report which shows that the countries hardest hit by AIDS are spending more of their own money to combat the problem. Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have increased their own domestic, public spending on AIDS by 25% in the last two years. While this increase is very welcome, the UN states there is still a shortfall of $8.1 billion in funding for HIV/AIDS programs.
The UN report also states the world is still facing 7500 new HIV infections each day. Yet, with determined efforts, programs can make a real difference in people's lives. For instance, from 2005 to 2007, the number of HIV-positive pregnant women receiving medication to stop transmission of the virus to their newborns increased significantly, from 14% to 33%. The number of new HIV infections among children dropped by 40,000, from 410,000 to 370,000.
"That means at least 40,000 children have been saved from HIV/AIDS, and it is truly excellent news," stated Zeitz. "The global effort to scale up programs is saving lives and building hope. This is not the time to slow down."
At the upcoming International AIDS Conference in Mexico City, Global AIDS Alliance will be presenting a new campaign to end HIV infection in children. GAA will also host a press conference on ending violence against women and children in Africa. More info on these events can be found HERE.
Global AIDS Alliance Website |
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