US Elections present new opportunity for addressing AIDS in Black America

I had the opportunity to attend a press conference hosted by the Black AIDS Institute, which presented a new report entitled "Left Behind - Black America: A Neglected Priority in the Global AIDS Epidemic." This report highlighted the crucial urgency of the AIDS epidemic within the United States among the African American population. In a study recently released earlier this month by the CDC, it was revealed that new HIV cases in the US was under-reported by 40%, further underscoring the need for immediate action to address this crisis domestically, despite substantial progress globally.

One of the key message from the press conference, which included Phill Wilson, Dr. Helen Gayle, Pernessa Seele, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jacob Gayle, and US Congresswoman Barbara Lee, was that while PEPFAR has been successful internationally, there is a critical need to create a National Strategy for AIDS in America - a sort of "Domestic PEPFAR". In addition, the panelists and experts called for a domestic prevention commitment of $1.3 billion US per year.

Referencing this report in his keynote speech, former US President Bill Clinton acknowledged that there has been a resurgence of infection in the United States and that if Black America were taken as a separate nation, they would rank 16th in the world in terms of the number of people living with HIV - a fact that he believes should serve as a wake up call for all Americans. Urging policymakers to do more to fight AIDS at home, Clinton highlighted the relationship between HIV/AIDS and a national health care system. He remarked that the overall capacity of the health care system determines whether access can be made universal.

Univeral healthcare has become an even more pivotal issue within the United States over the past several months. The United States presidential elections this year presents a unique opportunity for Americans to revisit domestic policies and begin to look inwards, especially in terms of addressing the AIDS epidemic in America, which still disproportionately affects more Black Americans today.

For far too long, the United States has been focused on issues abroad while neglecting a plethora of challenges that face America at home. While global action is important, it does not and cannot justify turning a blind eye on domestic issues. Republican presidential candidate John McCain, responding to the CDC report, promised to lower drug costs and focus testing and prevention programs in affected communities. Accordingly, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama issued his own statement, saying that he would develop a national strategy to eliminate stigma, increase testing capacity, further education initiatives, and reduce new infections.

While it is significant that political leaders are beginning to acknowledge the challenges and situation at home, Americans should ensure that its leaders move beyond the rhetoric and put words into action, especially during this election season. It is a time to critically ask questions, to understand the positions of the candidates, and to lobby for increased domestic programs and funding. It is time for a change in direction - one which can revolutionize healthcare (a basic human right) in America, both for blacks and all Americans.

Some Key Findings of the "Left Behind" report:

- Over 500,000 Black Americans are living with HIV and over 20,000 become infected each year

- Blacks living with HIV have an age-adjusted death rate 2.5 times higher than HIV-infected white

- Blacks represent 1 out of 8 Americans, but account for 1 out of 2 people living with HIV in the US

- While the US has been successful in providing funds for the AIDS fight abroad, they have simultaneously cut domestic AIDS funding despite an increase in HIV prevalence among Black Americans