U.S. commitment to fighting the global AIDS epidemic
For the past two weeks, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has run an advocacy campaign aimed at U.S. President Barack Obama for his lackluster response to the HIV/AIDS crisis in the U.S. and globally. President Obama is set to go down in history as the first President to scale back the U.S. HIV/AIDS funding commitment. The “It’s A Shame” ads—which can be seen on ten bus shelters in the area surrounding the White House—play on the rhetoric and imagery of the iconic “Hope” ads from his 2008 presidential campaign and aim to highlight promises unfulfilled. The ads direct viewers to www.changeaidsobama.org for more information.
In addition, under the Obama administration’s tenure, the percentage of PEPFAR funding spent on antiretroviral (ARV) treatment has fallen from 40% to less than 25%. One immediate effect in South Africa: the respected AIDS clinic (Sini’kithemba clinic) at McCord Hospital in Durban closed as a result of reduced global funding including the PEPFAR cuts.
In the U.S., during President Obama’s time in office waiting lists for state AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) have ballooned from 43 people when he took office in January 2009 to as many as 10,000 people last year.
Join AHF in asking President Obama to turn this Shame into Hope. Tell him to fully fund PEPFAR and prioritize AIDS in his domestic agenda.
Ask him to make saving lives his legacy.
