Call for a National AIDS Strategy for the US
We demand that the next President of the U.S. develop a results-oriented AIDS strategy.
The wealthiest nation in the world has failed in responding to the AIDS epidemic at home. In the U.S.:
Every year, more than 40,000 people are newly infected with HIV and has been the same for the last 15 years.
An estimated 1.5 million people are living with HIV. In 2002, an estimated half of people living with HIV/AIDS were not in care.
African Americans represent 13% of the population but nearly half of all new HIV infections. In 2004, HIV/AIDS was the leading cause of death among black women ages 25 - 34.
The unsatisfactory outcomes from our country's response to AIDS have serious human and economic costs. A study published in 2003 found that failure to meet the government's then goal of reducing HIV infections by half would lead to $18 billion in excess expenses through 2010.
The U.S. must develop what it asks of other nations it supports in combating AIDS: a national strategy to achieve improved and more equitable results.
To be effective, a national AIDS strategy should…
Improve prevention and treatment outcomes through reliance on evidence-based programming
Set ambitious and credible prevention and treatment targets and require annual reporting on progress towards goals
Identify clear priorities for action across federal agencies and assign responsibilities and timelines for follow-through
Include, as a primary focus, the prevention and treatment needs of African Americans, other communities of color, gay men of all races, and other groups at elevated risk
Address social factors that increase vulnerability to infection
Promote a strengthened HIV prevention and treatment research effort
Involve many sectors in developing the national strategy: government, business, community, civil rights organizations, faith based groups, researchers, and people living with HIV/AIDS
Please sign on now so your voice can be heard at http://www.nationalaidsstrategy.com.
For more info on how to have your voice and the voice of your community become part of the process, contact:
Phill Wilson; CEO, Black AIDS Institute (213)353-3610 phillw@blackaids.org
David Munar; Vice President, AIDS Foundation Chicago (312)922-2322 dmunar@aidschicago.org
Rebecca Haag; Executive Director, AIDS Action Council (202) 530-8030 rhaag@aidsaction.org
Larry Bryant; National Organizer, Housing Works (877)END-AIDS (363-2437) bryant2@housingworks.org