Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 07/2008

Opportunity 2008: the Presidential Candidates and U.S. Policies to Fight HIV/AIDS in Africa and Worldwide

December 2007

Africa Policy Information Center

Abstract

The HIV/AIDS pandemic is the greatest global threat in the world today. Africa is ground zero of the crisis – home to over two-thirds of those living with HIV/AIDS worldwide. Africa’s HIV/AIDS crisis is the direct result of centuries of global injustice. Now, African efforts to defeat HIV/AIDS are hindered by insufficient resources and by U.S. and international policies that restrict access to essential treatment and comprehensive health care. The rapidly approaching November 2008 elections represent a tremendous opportunity to change this frustrating reality. The next U.S. President must make the fight against HIV/AIDS a priority in his or her administration.