December 14, 2007

Adviser to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation Says Presidential Candidates Are Ignoring AIDS

The U.S. presidential candidates are overlooking the effect of HIV/AIDS in disadvantaged communities and among men who have sex with men (MSM), writes James Driscoll, former member of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS and current adviser to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, in a December 12 Washington Times opinion piece  (washingtontimes.com, 12/12).

Driscoll notes in the article that some HIV/AIDS advocates are warning that current infection estimates fail to accurately reflect the epidemic among minorities and MSM. He also highlights the fact that though medical advances have made HIV manageable for some people, many come forward for treatment only after sickness forces them to get tested and the disease is in advanced stages. “Early testing saves lives because treatment is most successful when initiated early,” Driscoll writes, adding that none of the candidates have “issued a strong call” for increased HIV testing.

“The presidential candidates love broad, general talk about health care for all,” he continues. “One reliable measure of a candidate's commitment to health care is her or his actions to improve access to testing and care for all Americans with HIV.”

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Previous Comments:

David Mynott II, Boston, 2007-12-19 00:01:26
Dennis Kucinich is not ignoring AIDS. I should know I 've followed him for 5 years, and I'm HIV positive myself. Go to his website, and read about it. Next time, don't overlook him. He's the only Dem proposing free, universal, not for profit health care, which will ensure that ALL HIV AIDS patients in America will finally receive proper treatment. Support the candidate that supports you. This election is not American Idol. Be proactive about it, not complacent.

Rayford Kytle, Washington, DC, 2007-12-18 10:08:27
The majority of American votes probably don't care about AIDS. It's not likely to help any candidate to address these issues. Let's just get a Democrat elected and remove religious ideologues from public health.

River, , 2007-12-17 14:16:34
A not-very-surprising editorial. It would be political suicide to embrace the most stigmatized and ostracized members of society. So which "gutless wonder" do we want for President? I would ask MY candidate for President "WHICH SCENARIO IS WORSE? To continue to let people needlessly die in an insane and unpopular war? Or to continue to let people needlessly die because it is political suicide to save or prolong their lives from a treatable, but politicized, medical condition?"

Mike, Ridgeland, 2007-12-16 10:59:13
In response to the article on Presidential candidates, try writing one of them by email, notably Hillary Clinton. A letter I've written via her website concerning U.S. aid first then Worldwide, after, as well as patient access to writing the Rx's necessary for access to medications, was promptly returned as "Too many emails for me (Clinton) to respond." However, donations to her campaign were accessible immediately. I agree, there's sad with no concerns by candidates.

Tyler, Denver, 2007-12-15 23:22:19
The Republicans spent several minutes discussing if Jesus is Satan's brother. Jesus lived a long time ago and is dead now. I think Jesus would want me to live and not worry about whether or not he's related to a fallen angel. I don't think Satan would care either way. What do I know though. I'm just an hiv poz guy hoping for miracles and for someone to care about me.