A Call For a National AIDS Strategy

Over 100 organizations, agencies and associations working in the field of combating HIV/AIDS banned together to issue a statement calling for a National AIDS Strategy on Monday.

• Strengthen prevention and treatment results through use of
  evidence-based programs;
  
• Establish prevention and treatment targets and require annual
  progress reports;


• Define priorities for action in federal agencies and assign
  tasks and timelines;


• Include the prevention and treatment needs of minorities and
  high-risk groups as a main focus;


• Address social elements that increase susceptibility to HIV;


• Encourage more HIV prevention and treatment research; and


• Involve multiple sectors -- including government, business,
  civil rights groups, faith-based organizations, researchers and
  HIV-positive people -- in developing the strategy

The hope is that having a National AIDS Strategy proposed will raise the profile of the issue of HIV/AIDS in the presidential race, and highlights the fact of what is currently lacking in national AIDS policy.