Clinton: Widen AIDS Effort in U.S.; Ex-President Says His Foundation Will Become More Involved

[DeepModem Mom]

Source: Washington Post

MEXICO CITY, Aug. 4 -- Fresh off a whirlwind tour of AIDS programs across Africa, former president Bill Clinton said Monday that new U.S. figures highlight the need for fresh attention to the disease at home, particularly among African Americans.

Citing data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicating that the U.S. epidemic has been underestimated by 40 percent, Clinton pledged the resources of his charitable foundation to refocus on domestic AIDS. "For Americans, this should be a wake-up call," Clinton said, addressing the International AIDS Conference here. "Even as we fight the epidemic globally, we must focus at home. And I intend to do so with my foundation."

Until now, the William J. Clinton Foundation's HIV/AIDS Initiative has focused overseas, primarily in Africa and the Caribbean. The foundation is credited with helping negotiate drastically lower prices for anti-retroviral therapies and diagnostic tests in places such as Senegal, Tanzania, Rwanda and Haiti. Clinton suggested he will now also target domestic AIDS, though he did not provide specifics. His office in New York did not respond to a request for more information.

Phill Wilson, one of the most prominent voices on AIDS in the African American community, said he was heartened that Clinton had spoken out about the crisis at home....

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/04/AR2008080401198.html

[polmaven]

1. Great article!

Good for him, and his foundation too!

[MannyGoldstein]

2. How Many Lives Will Be Saved If A Democrat Wins The White House?

Hey Bill - endorse our nominee.

[closeupready]

3. That's good news, that his foundation will be more involved domestically.

Hopefully, the day will come when a cure is found and his foundation can focus on other things, but I don't think that day will be all that soon.