PRNewswire - September 24, 2009

The Living Proof Project will show that U.S.-supported initiatives to fight malaria, AIDS, and other diseases are saving and improving the lives of millions of people in poor and developing countries -- and as a result, empowering them to lead more productive lives. The campaign kicked off today with a new web site (www.livingproofproject.org) and advertisements in Washington, DC that highlight compelling success stories in global health.

"We want to show Americans that their investments in global health are working," said Bill Gates, co-chair of the Gates Foundation. "We should all be proud that U.S.-funded health programs are saving millions of lives and bringing new hope to poor and developing countries."

U.S. support for global health programs has increased significantly in recent years with the launch of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and other initiatives. In just five years, PEPFAR has helped save an estimated 1.2 million lives by expanding access to HIV prevention and treatment.

"Bill and I are convinced that American funding for global health is working, because we have witnessed the results first-hand," said Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Gates Foundation. "We think if more Americans learn about progress in global health, they'll be inspired to maintain these investments -- even in difficult economic times -- so that we can do even more."

The Living Proof Project includes the following key components:

-- A campaign web site, www.livingproofproject.org, that brings global health success stories to life with web videos, photo galleries, interactive graphics, and personal profiles of people whose lives have been saved by U.S. global health programs

-- Television, radio, print, and online advertising in Washington, DC, featuring children and adults in developing countries who are "living proof" that U.S. investments are saving and transforming lives. The campaign's first television ad, titled "I Am Living Proof," begins running in Washington, DC today on both network and cable channels and can be viewed online at livingproofproject.org

-- A multimedia presentation by Bill and Melinda Gates to policy-makers and opinion leaders on October 27 in Washington, D.C., highlighting opportunities to build on today's global health successes. The presentation will also be webcast on the Living Proof Project web site

In the coming months, the Living Proof Project will announce additional activities and events to inform Americans about the latest progress in global health.

Evidence of Success

Recent evidence demonstrates that major U.S.-funded global health initiatives are achieving impressive results and helping to transform lives and communities. For example:

-- The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria has helped to deliver 88 million insecticide-treated bednets to protect young children from malaria

-- The U.S. Agency for International Development is supporting life-saving TB treatment programs in 41 developing countries

-- The President's Malaria Initiative reached an estimated 32 million people with life-saving malaria prevention and treatment services in 2008 -- only its third year in operation

-- The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is ensuring that tens of millions of children in developing countries are receiving essential nutrients by fortifying foods such as flour and soy sauce

[Note to editors: For high-resolution video and still images of Living Proof Project materials, please visit: www.gatesfoundation.org/press-room/Pages/news-market.aspx]

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people -- especially those with the fewest resources -- have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Jeff Raikes and Co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett. Learn more at www.gatesfoundation.org.

Source: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

CONTACT: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, +1-206-709-3400

Web Site: http://www.gatesfoundation.org/

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