By: AIDS United–
TAMPA, Florida — AIDS United, The AIDS Institute, Metro Wellness and Community Center, the Florida HIV/AIDS Advocacy Network, and OASIS are urging delegates to the 2012 Republican National Convention to maximize gathering momentum to creating an AIDS-free generation in the United States.
At a non-partisan luncheon during the Republican National Convention titled, “Turning the Tide of HIV/AIDS in the U.S.,” physicians, community leaders and people living with HIV/AIDS will discuss the current state of national HIV/AIDS legislation and policy, as well as issues related to access to care and treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Perfect timing to share the HIV epidemic with politicians
“This is an extraordinary opportunity for the HIV/AIDS community to remind convention-goers and the American public that more than 1.2 million people living with HIV live in the United States and that number grows every year,” said William McColl, Political Director of AIDS United. “New research shows that we now have the treatment and prevention knowledge and tools to roll back the epidemic. We just need the political will to link people living with HIV to treatment and care, and to help HIV-negative people remain HIV-free,” said McColl.
Scheduled as the keynote speaker for the event is Dr. Joseph F. O’Neill, Professor of Medicine and Director of Global Initiatives at the University of Maryland at Baltimore. An HIV/AIDS physician for nearly 30 years, Dr. O’Neill began caring for patients at University of California San Francisco/San Francisco General in the early 1980’s. He was the only physician on the White House Domestic Policy Council during the first term of the George W. Bush administration and was involved in health related issues that reached that level of policy review. President Bush credited Dr. O’Neill as the “architect” of his Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) – the largest global health initiative in history (now $48 billion). He additionally held the position of Director of National AIDS Policy during the Bush Administration.
Similar approach at the Democratic National Convention
AIDS United will hold a similar event at the time of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. on September 4, 2012. “We hope that by coming to the cities where the Conventions are held and reaching out to national and local leaders from each party, as well as members of the community, that we will provide real insight into the needs of people living with HIV in our country, and help find a way forward to end this disease,” said McColl.
