Wash post editorial: Spreading Hope

August 18, 2008

The Washington

Post

Spreading Hope

Fighting AIDS in Africa turns out

to be possible, after all.

Sunday, August 17, 2008; B06

IN HIS 2003 State of the Union address, President

Bush surprised many when he proposed to take the fight against AIDS to Africa. At the time, slowing the spread of the disease

seemed quixotic, particularly on a continent where only about 50,000 of the 30

million infected people received antiretroviral treatment. But Mr. Bush's

proposed " work of mercy beyond all current international efforts " has

had a profound impact. After five years and $15 billion, 1.7 million people are

receiving treatment. Encouraged by the progress, countries in sub-Saharan Africa have spent more of their own money to combat

HIV-AIDS. The disease still ravages millions of Africans, but it is no longer

an automatic death sentence.

On July 30, Mr. Bush signed into law a bill that

would triple funding for programs that fight HIV-AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.

The bill also repealed a ban on HIV-positive visitors and immigrants to the United States.

Unfortunately, key congressional subcommittees have approved funding at levels

below those set in the bill. The budget for foreign aid is insufficient, and

there are many worthy programs. Still, full funding should be a priority in

future years. Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack

Obama has pledged to fully fund the legislation.

McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, co-sponsored the bill but has

been less vocal about his support.

Some advocates wonder whether the government

should shift resources to fight the disease domestically. AIDS among Latinos is

increasing, particularly in the District, and the infection rate for African

Americans rivals the rates in some African nations. Recently the Centers

for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the government has

underestimated HIV-AIDS infections by 40 percent per year for the past decade.

These are disturbing trends that need to be addressed, but not at the expense

of progress overseas. Globally, funding for HIV-AIDS has increased to $10

billion annually, 40 times greater than the $250 million provided in the mid-1990s.

Worldwide deaths from AIDS dropped 10 percent last year, according to a recent U.N.

report.

Helping treat AIDS patients in poor countries

earns the United States

considerable goodwill abroad. It's also the right thing to do.

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