New York Times Editorial, Opinion Piece Discuss HIV/AIDS Developments

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology;  Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 22 Jul 2010 - 5:00 PDT

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Recent research and policy developments in the fight against HIV/AIDS were explored in a New York Times editorial and opinion piece. Summaries appear below.

~ New York Times: Although a study showing that a vaginal gel could reduce a woman's risk of HIV infection by up to 40% was "modest" in size, it is "easy to understand" why it was "met with ecstatic applause" at the XVIII International AIDS Conference on Tuesday, the Times states in an editorial. The gel "is not perfect," but it "offers women a way to protect themselves even without the cooperation of their male partners," which is a "potentially huge breakthrough," the editorial continues. According to the Times, women account for about 50% of the 33 million people living with HIV worldwide, including 60% of new cases in sub-Saharan Africa. "Even a 40% to 50% reduction in their infection rate could help slow the epidemic," and the development of a "more potent" microbicidal gel could lead to a "substantial" impact, the editorial says. The gel's efficacy "will need to be confirmed in a larger clinical trial already under way," the editorial states. It continues that "[s]lowing the spread of HIV will require multiple approaches," adding that the "challenge will be to find enough money at a time of limited resources when AIDS financing has flattened out." HIV prevention "should save money and many lives," and "[a]ll efforts to support the most promising leads should be pursued," the Times concludes (New York Times, 7/20).

~ Desmond Tutu, New York Times: Tutu -- archbishop emeritus of Cape Town, South Africa, and honorary chair of the Global AIDS Alliance -- writes that he is "saddened" by President Obama's decision "to spend less than he promised to treat AIDS patients in Africa." According to Tutu, Obama added $366 million to the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Program, which is "well below the $1 billion per year he promised to add when he was on the campaign trail." The funding level means that "[m]ost of the countries in PEPFAR will see no increase in aid" and that the number of new patients receiving treatment through the program will be reduced to 320,000 -- "resulting in 1.2 million avoidable deaths over the next five years," Tutu writes. He notes that Obama "has also proposed to cut America's contributions to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria ... to $1 billion in 2011, down from $1.05 billion this year." Although Tutu "appreciate[s] that tough financial times require the United States government to cut spending," he writes that Obama's "plan to decrease support is deeply distressing" because it "could wipe away decades of progress in Africa." As the International AIDS Conference continues this week, Obama "should reconsider his commitment to fighting the disease," Tutu continues, concluding, "Surely the richest country on the planet can find the means to fight this scourge" (Tutu, New York Times, 7/20).

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