Friday, December 17, 2010
MANY THANKS for recent articles on AIDS, especially Dr. Kate Scannell's Dec. 12 column, "Social transformations on AIDS sustain hope."
A large part of recent progress in treatment, education and research that has lowered infection and mortality rates can be attributed to the effectiveness of the global fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFTBAM).
This is funded by the U.S. and other developed countries. These programs range from technical and complex research on HIV/AIDS, to the more straightforward purchase and distribution of mosquito bednets to prevent malaria.
Unfortunately, the U.S. is not living up to its fair share of funding. If your member of Congress is one of the new faces in the House, it is especially important to call or write them to protect and expand GFTBAM.
Susan Oehser
Oakland
This letter also appeared in the Tri-Valley Herald.