Hillary Clinton is setting a new direction for the U.S. and its global AIDS campaign, turning the focusing to treatment. The program will now emphasize HIV-fighting drugs that can prevent new infections in hopes of “an AIDS-free generation.”
“Creating an AIDS-free generation has never been a policy priority for the United States government — until today,” Clinton said in a speech at the U.S. National Institutes of Health outside Washington.”This goal would have been unimaginable just a few years ago. While the finish line is not yet in sight, we know we can get there because now we know the route we need to take.”
“Now, by an AIDS-free generation, I mean one where, first, virtually no children are born with the virus; second, as these children become teenagers and adults, they are at far lower risk of becoming infected than they would be today thanks to a wide range of prevention tools; and third, if they do acquire HIV, they have access to treatment that helps prevent them from developing AIDS and passing the virus on to others.”
AIDS has killed 30 million people around the world, and 24 million are living with HIV today, and although strides have been made, drug treatment appears to be more promising than prevention education alone.
“If we take a comprehensive view of our approach to the pandemic, treatment doesn’t take away from prevention. It adds to it,” she said. “So let’s end the old debate over treatment versus prevention and embrace treatment as prevention.”
The United States’ President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program, has been a major factor in the global response to HIV, channeling billions of dollars in hopes of combating the disease across the globe. Clinton says it is more important than ever to remain a leader in the battle against AIDS.
“At a time when people are raising questions about America’s role in the world, our leadership in global health reminds them who we are and what we do,” she said. “An AIDS-free generation would be one of the greatest gifts the United States could give to our collective future.”