Obama on AIDS: "We can beat this disease"

President Obama makes remarks on World AIDS Day at George Washington University on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011 in Washington.

/ AP Photo

(CBS/AP) "We can beat this disease." That's what President Obama declared on Thursday during a World AIDS Day event in Washington. Obama used the occasion to announce a renewed American commitment to fight a disease that so far has claimed 30 million lives.

PICTURES - HIV/AIDS in global spotlight for World AIDS Day

Obama pledged U.S. support to help 6 million people get access to antiretroviral drugs in nations hardest hit by the virus by the end of 2013. He also announced plans to raise spending on HIV treatment in the U.S. by $50 million.

"The rate of new infections may be going down elsewhere, but it's not going down here in America," he said. "There are communities in this country being devastated still by this disease. When new infections among young, black, gay men increase by nearly 50 percent in three years, we need to do more to show them that their lives matter."

As part of Obama's new overseas initiatives, the U.S. will aim to get the drugs to 1.5 million HIV-positive pregnant women to keep them from passing the virus to their children; distribute more than 1 billion condoms in the developing world in the next two years; and fund 4.7 million voluntary medical male circumcisions in eastern and southern Africa over the next two years.

Circumcisions reduce the risk of female-to-male HIV transmission by more than 60 percent, research has shown.

The new goals build on the work of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, which focuses on prevention, treatment and support programs in 15 nations hit hardest by the AIDS pandemic, including 12 in Africa. Bush launched the $15 billion plan in 2003. In 2008, Congress tripled the budget to $48 billion over five years.

Obama praised Bush for his leadership on AIDS relief, saying the program will be one of the former president's greatest legacies.

"That program - more ambitious than even leading advocates thought was possible at the time - has saved thousands and thousands and thousands of lives, spurred international action, and laid the foundation for a comprehensive global plan that will impact the lives of millions," Obama said. "And we are proud that we have the opportunity to carry that work forward."

The president urged other wealthy nations to fulfill their financial pledges to a global fund to fight HIV/AIDS, and jabbed those who have not contributed money.

"Countries that haven't made a pledge need to do so," he said. "That includes China and other major economies that are now able to step up as major donors."

Worldwide, HIV has infected an estimated 60 million people since the deadly pandemic began 30 years ago. More than 33 million people currently live with the virus.

While the failure to find an effective HIV vaccine continues to frustrate the medical community, experts say scientific research in recent years has led to substantial progress in preventing and treating the virus.

Obama ordered his staff to reevaluate both their international and domestic approaches to HIV/AIDS this summer after being briefed on the scientific advancements.

The CDC has more on HIV/AIDS.

27 Photos

HIV/AIDS in global spotlight for World AIDS Day 2011

[CalamityJaynie]

How about beating Mental Illness which effects more Americans then any other disease?? What ya gotta say to that? More people around the whole world suffer from Mental Illness then of Cancer, Heart Disease and Diabetes. What does he do to get people help so they can return to a job?? 1 out of every 4 people suffer from a treatable, diagnose-able Mental condition around the world. 3,000 people commit suicide each day. We didn't ask for these illnesses, we got them genetically and they are in every single class of race and creed. You say you can beat the Aids disease Obama?? How bout getting help for people you know there are viable resources for? create a few more jobs in these categories too. Thanks. & yea that's great you wanna start helping people with Aids, but your not trying to get help for people whom a cure is available for others to live a normal productive life.

Let's also not forget about our national deficit of TRILLIONS of dollars .... How many people with mental illness are on Disability checks?? If you got them help then they could go back to living normal productive lives, taking care of themselves & less would be going towards there expenses cause they would be able to care for themselves! More people suffer from Mental Illness in the USA then AIDS or any other illness!

75% of low or middle class countries do not get mental health services. Take a look at the root of all issues Obama; Alcoholism is caused by Mental Illness, Child Abuse is caused by Mental Illness, Many Crimes come of people with Mental Illness. THERE IS NO HEALTH WITH OUT MENTAL HEALTH! Just think about it.. think about the many uneducated people in the country who bully and crap on others because they are Mentally or neurologically disabled.
Think about the damage self medicating does to a person when they drink excessively or use street drugs to treat there illnesses; it causes other health issues leading up to cancer & heart disease. Mental illness contributes to the crime rate and over populated prisons. Then tax payers have to pay to house, feed and provide medical and education to them. It's all a chain reaction. Please get your head out of the clouds lost in other places and start doing something that will change everything and have a impact to make your entire country more stable and healthy, not just a small percentage.

Thanks for your time; anyone whom reads this. I know for sure Obama is just paying attention to things he thinks will make him look good. Enjoy your Christmas tree you had shipped from Wisconsin Obama. Don't you know that money could have gone to a good cause as well? Nope! There's a loop hole exception for you while many others don't get the have a tree or Christmas gifts for there kids. Enjoy your luxuries.

I will do all I can to be rich with my mental health & keep my dignity some how. Everyday is a struggle for me. Trying to live a "normal life" with a Mental Disorder is the hardest thing a person could ever do.

[Jesusachchrist]

To: Bill Gates
December 1, 2011

Bill!
Can I call you Bill?
Did it occur to you, that there was no such thing as the aids epidemic before the Second World War? Did it occur to you, that you are fighting a losing battle with the United States Government, who is creating all these death viruses to stem the population of the world without destabilizing the world with shock and aw. Did it occur to you, to look at the Pharmaceutical Industry as the source of all the disease being introduced into society for profit, above all moral values, if there are values anymore? Did it occur to you that chemists and scientists work covertly, creating strains of disease which will control and oppress the human race, to a population level which the world can support and feed? Why then, do you waist your resources, fighting, (Like the war in Afghanistan) for something you know you cannot win? The world's problem is over population, this is factual and well known.
Take this scenario for instance:
One day in the future, the last drop of marketable petroleum will be purchased by the winner of the petroleum lottery. This person will go down in history as being the last polluter of our cherished planet earth to burn a toxic substance killing our civilization. The world's military will be the last to hoard the strategic oil reserves for the sole purpose of war and annihilation of human life, for the purpose of control of what? There is no oil left! Without oil, there can be no mass food production to feed the over population of the planet. Without oil, the starving will die, the diseased will die, the weak will die, the children will die, and the poor will die. The world will revert to a failed roman empire and turn to a higher power for salvation, be it the world leader with all the answers, the Messiah, You, or someone with the wherewithal to bring the world into the age of reason.
What the world needs is a "Council of Supreme Leaders" which is not associated with Governments, Countries, Militaries, or any bias involving the human race.
If you truly want to make a difference, create for us this Council of Supreme Leaders, to independently study and publish the facts of planet earth to the world. This should be an independent group, with an open book policy of every hidden secret and agenda known to man or Governments. Let nothing be hidden from us, as we the people should know the truth.

Jesus Achchrist
[e-mail]

[JayAdlerMusic]

Another well intentioned non-specific promise by the President.Very few HIV sufferers can afford the Magic Johnson treatment which astoundingly is likely to offer Magic a normal life span. As far as the search for the cure, cardiac, disease, liver disease, kidney disease, mental illness, spinal cord injury, cancer all are diseases that we have never cured but "cured". This means with medicinal assistance and sometimes operative procedures we can submerge or arrest disease including HIV Aids.If the patient cannot afford treatment or just does not continue, the disease comes back.If Obama is looking for a cure without quotes, we could be looking at a hundred years.