Higher Number of HIV Infections Must Translate Into Leadership & Action by U.S. Government

Higher Number of HIV Infections Must Translate Into Leadership & Action by
U.S. Government
Additional Funding for HIV Prevention & Sound Public Policies Needed

WASHINGTON, July 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 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.
SOURCE The AIDS Institute

Carl Schmid of The AIDS Institute, +1-202-669-8267,
CSchmid@theaidsinstitute.org