Bush's Record on the Global AIDS Epidemic : Bold Call to Action Seems Forgotten

President Bush made a stirring commitment to emergency action on the global AIDS epidemic in his State of the Union Address ten months ago. His advisors know the issue is central to the effort to project a strong global compassion agenda. With important segments of the electorate, including Evangelical Christians, concerned about US action on AIDS, Bush has chosen to prominently feature his plan on his campaign website.

The news this World AIDS Day focuses on the increase in infections and death rates documented by the UN. Over the past year, more than 3 million people have died from AIDS. More than 20 million people have already died from AIDS and at least 40 million more are infected. By the end of the decade, the CIA predicts that as many as 100 million people will be infected around the world. The latest data show that the epidemic is now rapidly spreading across Asia and the Americas as well as in Africa.

Also in the news is the bold plan by the World Health Organization to provide AIDS treatment for 3 million people by 2005. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson and AIDS Coordinator Randy Tobias are in Zambia with key international officials on World AIDS Day to project an image of Administration support for global health programs.

But, the question that should be asked on World AIDS Day is, "How well is President Bush living up to his promise of emergency action on AIDS?" And, "How well does his effort contribute to what the World Health Organization now says is required to expand treatment on a global basis?"

In fact, the President seems to have forgotten his bold call to action.

Get the whole story breaking down Bush's rhetoric from reality here: http://www.globalaidsalliance.org/policyupdate.html
Read the Fact Sheet (PDF)