World AIDS Day 2011 - Advocacy Background
In June 2011 the medical
journal The Lancet published an article “Towards an improved investment approach for an effective response to HIV/AIDS” laying out the Strategic Investment
Framework designed to get the world to zero – zero new HIV infections, zero
AIDS-related deaths and zero stigma and discrimination. The strategic
initiative was developed by a team of international scientists and experts
representing UNAIDS, the Global Fund, the World Health Organization (WHO) and
the U.S. Government.
While plans are already being
developed to incorporate best practices in the global HIV response into the
strategic framework, the major challenge now is funding the initiative.
Specifically the U.S. can be a leader in ensuring the Global Fund for AIDS receives
robust commitments of $22 billion from rich countries to meet the target goals
from now through 2015. With adequate funding for effective interventions
now, global funding for HIV-AIDS can be decreased by 2020 as the implementation
of antiretroviral treatment (ART) strategies become widespread.
Even in this global economic
climate, the opportunity to turn the page on HIV-AIDS should remain a funding
priority. However, just last week, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS,
Tuberculosis and Malaria decided to cancel its current funding round (Round 11)
due to a shortage of funds. Thus, the role of the U.S. as a leader in the
HIV response has never been greater, not only as a major donor, but in working
with other countries, especially in Europe, to ensure that necessary funding
commitments are made and kept.
Funding goals we urge include
the following:
- Rich countries must provide at
least $10 billion per year for the Global Fund, including at least $2b from the
U.S. African governments invest 15% of
their budgets in health as promised. With U.S. leadership the global
commitment should ensure at least $22 billion in funding through 2015.
- In the U.S., Ryan White Care Act,
Medicare Expansion, HIV prevention programs, NIH and CDC budgets, and the HOPWA
Housing program must all be fully funded.
- HOW? A 0.005% Financial Transaction Tax on
speculators for the fight against HIV/AIDS, health and social services in the
US and worldwide, and stop rampant speculation.
Incorporating decades of
research and evidence of what treatments and community health strategies are
most effective, the Strategic Investment Framework has been designed to
consolidate global efforts and target the most strategic areas and affected
populations for maximum impact. Over the years the United Church of Christ HIV and AIDS Network
(UCAN) has been a leader in developing civil society responses to HIV and AIDs
and in advocating for responsible government, health and public sector
strategies for addressing the pandemic. Today we can make a significant
effort in turning the page on this disease by urging the U.S. to take a lead
role in funding and supporting this important global collaboration.
TAKE ACTION -Urge the U.S. Administration to keep its commitmentto the Global Fund and to fund the Strategic Investment Framework.
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