Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation Announces 25 Million Women Reached with Services to Protect their Health and Keep Babies HIV-Free

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts: Eric Kilongi: ekilongi@pedaids.org +254 735 702-701 
Ryan Henson: rhenson@pedaids.org or +1 (202) 280-1537

Durban, South Africa, Washington, D.C.—July 20, 2016—Today, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) announced that it has reached 25 million women worldwide with lifesaving services, such as HIV counseling, testing, and treatment, to promote and protect their health and to prevent transmission of HIV to their babies. The new figure was revealed at a reception held this evening for EGPAF partners, donors and friends during the 21st International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2016) in Durban, South Africa. 

“Even five years ago, we could not have imagined reaching such a remarkable number, let alone reaching it in 2016,” said Charles Lyons, EGPAF President and CEO. “While EGPAF is immensely proud of these efforts, it is important to emphasize that this accomplishment is not ours alone. We could not have reached this many lives without the invaluable support of the United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), other  global and local partners and donors over many years. This level of success and progress can only be sustained if we remain vigilant and united in our vision and actions.” 

Since EGPAF’s inception in 1988, there has been a 58 percent decline in the number of new HIV infections in children worldwide. New infections among children have been reduced by 60 percent in 21 of the highest burden countries in sub-Saharan Africa. 

Challenges still remain. Globally, only 49 percent of children living with HIV have access to the treatment they need. Without it, half of HIV-positive children will die before their second birthday. AIDS is now the leading cause of death among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa.

“Each one of us has the opportunity to use our voice and creativity to develop new ideas and turn them into action to ensure this generation and future generations are the ones to end this epidemic”, said Jake Glaser, EGPAF Ambassador.

As the world debates and determines the future of the fight against HIV at the AIDS 2016 conference, the urgent need to act must remain at the forefront. The ambitious nature of current global goals and targets, including the recent Start Free, Stay Free, AIDS Free super fast-track framework to end AIDS in children, adolescents and young women by 2020 and the broader target of ending AIDS by 2030, reflect both the incredible opportunities and possibilities in front of us as well as the consequences of failing to take action to seize them in time.

EGPAF is committed to not only sustaining, but accelerating its efforts to reach millions more children, mothers and families living with and affected by HIV with prevention, treatment, and care services-—until no child has AIDS.  

About the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF):
EGPAF is the global leader in the fight against pediatric HIV/ AIDS and has reached more than 25 million women with services to prevent transmission of HIV to their babies. In 2015 -2016, EGPAF is supporting activities in 19 countries and more than 6,000 sites to implement prevention, care, and treatment services; to further advance innovative research; and to execute global advocacy activities that bring dramatic change to the lives of millions of women, children, and families worldwide. For more information, visit www.pedaids.org.