WORLD AIDS

In the 25 years since it was first diagnosed, AIDS has claimed more than 25 million lives. This year, on World AIDS Day, take a moment to honor those who have lost their lives to this devastating disease by taking action.

In 2003, the United States launched the largest investment ever made by any nation to combat a single disease – the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). This initiative has led to substantial increases in the total number of people receiving AIDS treatment, care and HIV prevention information.

The leadership demonstrated by PEPFAR has contributed significantly to the fight against AIDS globally – yet given its scale, much more needs to be done to turn the tide against the pandemic. Tell your legislators to combat HIV and AIDS by:

Investing in the wide variety of sectors that play a role in stopping the spread of HIV – including food security, microfinance, reproductive health and education;
Focusing on women in developing countries who are particularly vulnerable to HIV – those who are less able to negotiate sexual relations and victims of sexual violence; and Allocating sufficient funds to comprehensive prevention efforts, and removing policy and budget restrictions such as the abstinence-until-marriage earmark on these funds.

The current PEPFAR legislation is set to expire in 2008, and Congress soon will be hard at work authorizing a new bill. This provides us with an unprecedented opportunity to share experiences, learn from mistakes and improve strategies to yield more significant and sustainable results. Learn more about the lessons and realities of PEPFAR by reading CARE's new policy brief PEPFAR and the Fight Against Global AIDS.

Please write your legislators today and tell them to support integrated, comprehensive HIV and AIDS programming.

Programs that comprehensively address the social, economic and cultural reasons that make people vulnerable to HIV – and don't focus on the health dimension alone – have the most promise to fight this devastating disease. Take action now to support integrated, comprehensive HIV and AIDS programs.