World AIDS Day 2011

Today, 1 December 2011, is World AIDS Day. The theme for this year's 23rd annual event is "Leading with Science. United for Action." Since 1981, >30 million of our neighbors, friends and family members have died from AIDS.  In addition, >30 million of our neighbors, friends and family members are currently infected with HIV and require care and treatment.  More than 95% of these HIV-infected adults and children live in disenfranchzed and resource-limited communities in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe and the US.  

These same communities, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa with the greatest burden of HIV, also have the greatest global burdens of TB, malaria, child mortality and maternal deaths.  The communities of the world with the greatest need for good health care still have the least access to it.  Today, President Obama pledged another $50 million for HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment.  While any increase in support is welcome, particularly in the current global economic recession, far more donor investment is urgently needed to sustain the impact of PEPFR, Global Fund and related programs. 

The challenges of the HIV/AIDS epidemic also highlight the critical need to expand the number and quality of the global health workforce.  More and better trained doctors, nurses, midwives, community health workers, pharmacists, lab technicians and other providers are urgently needed to ensure that funds invested in providing HIV/AIDS care and treatment, as well as other health services, are not wasted.  In order to achieve better health and to build cost-effective health programs, more and better trained health care providers are urgently needed in the resource-limited communities.  On World AIDS Day 2011, please join the CCGHE in calling for greater commitment and resources for expanding, educating and supporting the health workforce, where they are needed most.