HIV/AIDS

Over the weekend, the New York Times printed several letters in response to last week’s articles on the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa. The letters provide an interesting cross-section of perspectives and responses on where America’s fight against global AIDS stands.

Written with Erin Hohlfelder:
It’s easy, and perhaps justified, to feel frustration after reading the pieces on HIV/AIDS in this week’s New York Times. Despite the huge growth in funding for HIV/AIDS in recent years–driven by a coalition of bipartisan politicos, grassroots advocates, philanthropists, and celebrities—our efforts have not been enough, and the goal of universal access to AIDS treatment, prevention, and care remains unrealized.

Yesterday, I traveled to New York City to take part in an important event for women and girls around the world. UNAIDS, along with artist and activist Annie Lennox and other prominent leaders, launched the Agenda for Accelerated Country Action for Women, Girls, Gender Equality and HIV (2010-2014).

Reuters has a report on a new study that suggests that treating AIDS and tuberculosis simultaneously could save more than twice as many lives as going after tuberculosis first would:
About 33 million people worldwide are infected with HIV, the AIDS virus, and 9.2 million have recently been diagnosed with lung-destroying tuberculosis, according to the World [...]

As global health advocates, it’s hard to resist feeling hopeful or excited over headlines such as “Aids: is the end in sight?” and “Aids ‘could be under control worldwide in five years’”.