Increased Global HIV/AIDS Funding Has Not Produced Corresponding Results, Editorial Says

"The generals" in the "global battle" against HIV/AIDS, including those at the U.N. General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS in New York City this week, have met their "target of mobilizing $7 billion to $10 billion per year" in international funding, "[b]ut that money has bought less than expected," according to a Washington Post editorial. Despite successful prevention efforts in many countries -- which have "driv[en] down" the number of new HIV cases among young adults -- "[t]he plague is still advancing," the editorial says. The effect of further funding increases, such as the one called for by the U.N. at the UNGASS meeting, also will be "limited," unless the world makes a commitment to "other development efforts," including an increase in "general health investment," according to the editorial. In addition, the global community should "work to improve" pre-existing institutions that are responsible for HIV/AIDS funds management and distribution, including the Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the editorial says. Such changes will better serve the "intensified push" against the HIV/AIDS "crisis," according to the editorial (Washington Post, 6/2).

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