The President’s Emergency Plan forAIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and other global AIDS initiatives have contributed tosignificant declines in AIDS-related mortality, according to a report by amfAR,The Foundation for AIDS Research, and the Center for Global Health Policy. 

The report also shows that theseefforts have strengthened primary care in countries most affected by HIV/AIDSand have enhanced the treatment and prevention of other diseases, such asmalaria and tuberculosis.  

“The report comes as there areworrisome signs the U.S. government is considering a significant slowing in thescale-up of global AIDS prevention and treatment,” said Chris Collins, vicepresident and director for public policy at amfAR. “A retreat on our globalAIDS commitments would jeopardize the gains we’ve made.” 

The report urges U.S. policymakersand Obama administration officials to increase HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment,which can help build broader and more sustainable health care in developingcountries.  

“PEPFAR and other global AIDSprograms have given more than 4 million people in resource-poor countries asecond chance,” said Christine Lubinski, director of the Center for GlobalHealth Policy. “Going forward, PEPFAR can serve as a backbone for therevitalization of primary care in Africa.”