- Share This Post
- Pin It
- 0
- 2
-
Sparkle (0)
The Obama administration unveiled the first National HIV/AIDS Strategy (pdf) to mixed reviews. Having a strategy is good. But is this the right strategy?
The National HIV/AIDS Strategy aims to cut new transmissions by 25 percent, get more patients treated quickly and reduce the stigma that prevents people from getting tested. It includes no extra funds to help achieve the goals set forth within the strategy.
Michael Weinstein, President of the National AIDS Healthcare Foundation, calls it a fail. "You can't say that this a new strategy if you don't intend to spend any money on it."
Housing Works is also frustrated by the announcement, calling it a step backward:
“The president’s plan is so flawed that it might actually represent a step backwards in combating HIV and AIDS in the United States,” said Housing Works President and CEO Charles King.
More than 56,000 people contract HIV yearly in the United States. Some of those most at risk are gay/bi/transgendered men, African American men and women, and Latino men and women.
Phil Wilson from Black AIDS Institute says:
Today represents a new day in our country’s nearly three-decade-long struggle against AIDS. For the first time, we finally have a national plan in place to guide our fight against the epidemic and to hold decision-makers accountable for results.
The National Minority AIDS Council seems to agree but acknowledges the funding issues:
“We must look at this plan as a solid first step in achieving our ultimate goal: eradicating HIV/AIDS. Now the conversation must turn to implementation—and how we fund such an audacious goal. To ignore the difficult topic of HIV/AIDS funding would be tantamount to placing the President’s strategy in a shredder."
It looks as though social media will play a large role in educating people about HIV/AIDS. From the HIV/AIDS Strategy Plan:
"By the end of 2010 CDC will initiate a CDC-wide review of all social marketing and education campaigns related to HIV, STI (sexually transmitted infections), substance abuse and risk behaviors that increase risk of HIV transmission and will work to expand evidence based efforts to achieve maximum impact"
What do you think about the president's strategy? And its lack of funding?
~Denise BlogHer Community Manager Life. Flow. Fluctuate.
