International AIDS Conference returns to U.S.
Stacey Vanek Smith: The 19th International AIDS Conference is underway in Washington, D.C.
As Elizabeth Wynne Johnson reports, we’ve reached a critical juncture in the AIDS fight.
Elizabeth Wynne Johnson: The fight to end the AIDS pandemic has required decades of translating basic research into clinical breakthroughs. The rate of new HIV infections has leveled off. And just last week, the Food and Drug Administration approved the first HIV prevention pill.
A pivotal moment for the International AIDS Conference to land in the nation’s capital, says Chris Collins. He’s vice president of amFAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research.
Chris Collins: We now have the tools to begin to end AIDS, and the question is will we use them appropriately, invest strategically to realize the potential of this moment? Earlier this year, President Obama released a proposed budget that includes roughly a 10 percent reduction in U.S. funding for global HIV/AIDS programs.
Just days ago, the administration announced plans to distribute $69 million to help states eliminate their growing waitlists for AIDS drug assistance programs. It’s funding that had already been set aside for the cause.
I’m Elizabeth Wynne Johnson for Marketplace.
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