What We Are Reading: U.S. National HIV/AIDS Strategy
Posted by
Evan Von Leer
Washington, D.C.
July 13, 2010
Today, the Obama Administration’s
Office of National AIDS Policy unveiled its
National HIV/AIDS Strategy at a White House event, with Foundation President and CEO Charles Lyons and other partners, policymakers, and members of the HIV/AIDS community in attendance.
The plan represents a renewed commitment to fighting HIV in the U.S. by coordinating federal, state, local, and private sector efforts to prevent new infections, including those in pregnant women and children.
Later at a reception, President Obama mentioned
Foundation Ambassador Ben Banks in his remarks (see video below), commending him for being an inspiration to others in the fight against HIV. Ben, who was in attendance at the White House with his wife Kasiah, has been living with the virus for 29 years since he was infected as an infant.
(
Watch President Obama's full speech,
read the transcript)
The Associated Press also wrote earlier in the day about the significance of the new national strategy. The article included the perspectives of Foundation Senior Program Director for Prevention, Care and Treatment Services, Dr. Stephen Lee, and Public Policy Director Catherine Connor, about the lessons learned from PEPFAR and HIV efforts in Africa that can be applied to our epidemic at home.
Evan Von Leer is a Multimedia Associate, based in Washington, D.C.