AIDS

May 30, 2007 -- THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all for coming. Welcome to the Rose Garden. Today, I'm joined by some very determined people who are battling one of the worst epidemics of modern times: the spread of HIV/AIDS.    » read more »

U.N. General Assembly reviews international response to pandemic

22 May 2007 -- United Nations -- President Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is proving effective, according to Alec Mally, counselor to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations.

PEPFAR, now in its fourth year, is beginning to turn the tide against the HIV/AIDS pandemic in some countries, Mally told the U.N. General Assembly May 21.    » read more »

10 May 2007 -- German conglomerate Siemens signed an agreement with a Catholic organization to lower the costs of lab tests for HIV patients in Africa. These tests aim to establish whether HIV patients are becoming resistant to drug therapies they are undergoing. For VOA, Sabina Castelfranco reports from Rome

The agreement between the well-established Catholic Community of Sant'Egidio, and Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics was signed at the end of the fifth international conference of the DREAM project titled "Long life to Africa: Fighting Aids and Malnutrition".    » read more »

May 8, 2007 -- Fred Thompson, in a Project Vote Smart survey he filled out in 1994 that has recently come to light, stated that he favored decreasing funding for AIDS research (via NY Sun).

I couldn't believe it until I checked it out for myself; he actually said he wanted to cut funding. This, by the way, was right around the time that the US death rate (per 100,000 population) was near its peak. Yet somehow that didn't cause him to change his mind.    » read more »

08 May 2007 -- Former President Bill Clinton has announced a new deal with drug companies that will significantly lower the cost of AIDS drugs in 66 developing countries. From New York City, Victoria Cavaliere reports for VOA that the deal includes a once-daily AIDS medicine now available for less than $1 per day.

Speaking at his foundation headquarters in Harlem, New York, Mr. Clinton said seven million people in the developing world are in need of HIV and AIDS treatment, while only about two million people are receiving it.    » read more »

04 May 2007 -- Brazil has rejected a U.S. drug maker's offer of a 30 percent discount on an anti-AIDS drug, Efavirenz.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's office is now deciding whether to break the drug's patent by making it or buying generic versions.

A spokesperson from Merck expressed disappointment at Brazil's rejection of the offer and said Merck had repeatedly asked to meet with Brazil's Health Ministry to reach an agreement.    » read more »

Housing grants help reduce health disparities

April 24, 2007 -- SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced today $2,425,000 in housing grants to 16 community based organizations across Illinois to provide housing services for individuals living with HIV or AIDS.    » read more »