August 4, 2008

Presidential Candidates Respond to New HIV Estimates

Presidential candidates Sens. Barack Obama (D–Ill.) and John McCain (R–Ariz.) responded to the underestimating of U.S. HIV infections over the last decade by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to AIDS 2008 (aids2008.com, 8/3).

Obama released this statement:

“We have now learned that 56,300 new HIV infections occurred in the United States in 2006, not 40,000 that had been previously cited. These new figures should bring new focus to our efforts to address AIDS and HIV here at home.

“As president, I am committed to developing a National AIDS Strategy to decrease new HIV infections and improve health outcomes for Americans living with HIV/AIDS. Across the nation, we also need to prevent the spread of HIV and get people into treatment by expanding access to testing and comprehensive education programs. This report also demonstrates the need for more timely data about HIV transmission so that we can effectively evaluate prevention efforts.

“Combating HIV/AIDS also demands closing the gaps in opportunity that exist in our society so that we can strengthen our public health. We must also overcome the stigma that surrounds HIV/AIDS—a stigma that is too often tied to homophobia. We need to encourage folks to get tested and accelerate HIV/AIDS research toward an effective cure because we have a moral obligation to join together to meet this challenge, and to do so with the urgency this epidemic demands.”

McCain released this statement:

“The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) yesterday announced that in 2006 there were 56,300 new HIV infections in United States—significantly higher than the previous estimate of 40,000 cases. More than a million Americans live with this devastating disease. As President, I will work closely with non-profit, government and private sector stakeholders to continue the fight against HIV/AIDS. By focusing efforts on reducing drug costs through greater market competition, promoting prevention efforts, encouraging testing, targeting communities with high infection rates, strengthening research and reducing disparities through effective public outreach, we as a nation can make great progress in fighting HIV/AIDS.”

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Previous Comments:

Chris, Los Angeles, 2008-08-05 12:44:23
As we should know niether candidate gives us a possibilty of selecting the right one. Our choices are pretty much non-existant. But I have to give G Bush a hand for his attempt for AIDS with the $3bil. It is definitely more than any other president has given. Let's just hope in the next election we have better choices than we have been given for this election. We must all pull together and leave our hate and fustration behind us and get through together with each other and become stronger as one.

RZ, Washington, DC, 2008-08-05 12:04:51
Bravo Obama for acknowledging the role of societal homophobia,not reached by targeting specific communities. All kids need to grow up knowing that if they turn out to be gay they will not be seen as sick or evil. Highest levels of gov't, ed., religion, sports, media must campagin to reduce homophobia, to help prevent kids who've internalized it from having unproteted sex bcause they don't care about themselves, and not telling girlfriends and wives they've had sex with men out of shame

FW, Toledo, 2008-08-05 02:01:35
As a gay community, in my opinion, have heard a LOT of talk. Lets not forget, these candidates are probably willing to say just about anything at this point to win. Talk is cheap. We will not know the truth until it is revealed !

Jeff, Phoenix, 2008-08-04 21:06:55
AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH McCain when I contacted him 3 years ago about Cut backs in care under Ryan White Grant, New paitents outpacing additional funding to programs, resulting in cuts per person. SENT ME a release so that he could see my medical records and accounts. HE is a complete moron and unfortunately my senator. This Man could care less about HIV and it's effects, Abstinence only has sure worked and he supports that as well.