White House Global AIDS Initiative an "Historic Breakthrough"

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Washington, D.C. -- AIDS Action hailed a $100 million global AIDS initiative from the White House today as an "historic breakthrough" in our efforts to slow the viral holocaust in the developing world. The proposal doubles current levels of spending and is the most ambitious U.S. global AIDS plan ever in terms of total dollars. The plan also comes on the heels of a critical breakthrough last week in the advent of $4, two-dose drug that has the potential to prevent 300,000 to 400,000 infant infections in developing nations.

"Last week, we had the most important medical breakthrough in slowing AIDS in the developing world. Today, the Administration is making the most historic breakthrough in America's response to the global epidemic," said Daniel Zingale, AIDS Action executive director. "America has shown strong resolve to fight evil dictators in Europe and elsewhere. Now, we are showing that we can use the same resolve to fight an evil virus in Africa."

The White House plan, for which AIDS Action has been strongly advocating and requires Congressional approval, will not divert any funds from domestic health programs. Of the $100 million, $55 million will go to USAID, $35 million to HHS and $10 million to the Defense Department. The funding will provide $48 million for education, stigma reduction, outreach to religious leaders, counseling and testing, blood screening, preventing mother to child transmission as well as training and technical assistance.

An additional $23 million will be used for home and community care and basic medical care. Another $19 million will be used for strengthening infrastructure that supports prevention and treatment and strengthening nations' partnerships between local governments and community organizations for better targeting of HIV prevention. The remaining $10 million will go to assist children orphaned by AIDS, of which there are more than 8 million worldwide.

"The AIDS epidemic has the potential to bring down entire nations in Africa," added Zingale. "Today's initiative proves the U.S. is recognizing that global AIDS is now one of our most important foreign policy imperatives."

AIDS Action, which will advocate for Congressional approval of the plan, added that greater investments in the future are necessary for an fully effective U.S. response to the global crisis. AIDS Action will also be unveiling a report Tuesday exposing pharmaceutical industry overpricing and urging greater corporate responsibility to ensure better worldwide access to life-saving AIDS drugs.