CHICAGO, Dec 1, 2008 (AFP) - President-elect Barack Obama on World AIDS Day Monday promised to "recommit" US efforts against the deadly disease through a national strategy of education, prevention, treatment and "a strong health care system."
Obama extolled progress made since international health authorities began observing World Aids Day 20 years ago, when "widespread ignorance and fear" hampered efforts to educate people about AIDS' devastating impact on families and communities.
Thanks to the work of official, non-official and faith-based institutions, he said, "women in Kenya who were widowed by the disease and once shunned by society, have banded together to support and empower each other.
"Scientists around the world are discovering and engineering new medicines to give people with HIV/AIDS another chance at life ... And world governments are coming together to address the humanitarian crisis the pandemic has left in its wake.
Speaking before the Saddleback Church Civil Forum on AIDS, Obama thanked outgoing US President George W. Bush "for his leadership in crafting a plan for AIDS relief in Africa" and providing funding to prevent the spread of the disease.
Bush on Monday announced that his President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief had already met its goal of helping to treat two million people living with HIV/AIDS by the end of 2008.
Obama said the administration he will be leading when he takes over the White House on January 20 "will continue this critical work," but would go one step further.
"We must also recommit ourselves to addressing the AIDS crisis here in the United States with a strong national strategy of education, prevention and treatment, focusing on those communities at greatest risk.
"This strategy must be based on the best available science and built on the foundation of a strong health care system," he added.
Obama admitted, however, that "in the end, this epidemic can't be stopped by government alone, and money alone is not the answer either."
He asked all Americans to "do our part," and urged people to take inspiration from this year's World Aids Day slogan "Stop AIDS, Keep the Promise."
About two-thirds of the world's HIV-positive cases are in sub-Saharan Africa. At least one person in 10 lives with HIV in nations such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland and Zambia, the IFRC said in a June report.
081201
AF081211
Copyright ©AFP 2008. All Rights Reserved. AFP articles contained on the AEGiS web site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without AFP's prior written permission. You may make one copy of each article for your personal, non-commercial use only; more copies would require AFP's prior written permission obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP photos or materials. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP stories, photos or graphics. http://www.afp.com/
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Gill Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Quest Diagnostics, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. This article first appeared in 2008. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2008. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.