Editor,
This Friday is World AIDS Day. The HIV and AIDS epidemic represents one of the most devastating crises in the history of humanity. More than 35 million people are living with HIV. Fifteen thousand people are infected every day. AIDS has killed 22 million men, women and children, leaving their families and communities devastated.
Africa has been hit the hardest by the HIV and AIDS epidemic. Countries such as Uganda, Kenya and Mozambique are struggling to reach the point where at least one community health worker will be available for every 1,000 country residents. Achieving this bare minimum across sub-Saharan Africa requires investment in sustainable solutions to the health-worker shortage. Yet currently, health professionals struggle in dangerous conditions without adequate staff, resources or essential technology.
Three important bills currently before Congress address the AIDS epidemic. The African Health Capacity Investment Act provides desperately needed funding to health care workers fighting HIV and AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. The Microbicides Development Act authorizes additional funding for microbicide development, which gives women the power to protect themselves in situations where unprotected sex is forced upon them. The PATHWAY Act establishes a global HIV-prevention strategy to address the vulnerabilities of women and girls and removes the current U.S. requirement that one-third of already insufficient funds go toward abstinence advocation.
It is vital that we support this legislation. Call Sen. Jeff Bingaman at 800-443-8658 or Sen. Pete Domenici at 505-346-6791 today and urge them to co-sponsor one or all of these bills.
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Camille Puronen
UNM student
