Clinton: Widen AIDS Effort in U.S.
Days after a major African American AIDS organization complained that the US government is focusing too much of its resources on fighting AIDS abroad instead of at home, former President Bill Clinton announced that his foundation would spend more time and attention on fighting the disease among Americans.
The decision to focus a bit less on Africa and a bit more on America was made based on new data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicating that the U.S. epidemic has been underestimated by 40 percent. He pledged the resources of his charitable foundation to refocus on domestic AIDS.
“For Americans, this should be a wake-up call,” Clinton said, addressing the International AIDS Conference here. “Even as we fight the epidemic globally, we must focus at home. And I intend to do so with my foundation.”
Until now the William J. Clinton Foundation’s HIV/AIDS Initiative spent most of its resources on Africa and the Caribbean.
AIDS activist Phill Wilson immediately told reporters that he was heartened by Clinton’s words (even though specifics are lacking): “I have been extremely disappointed with the Clinton Foundation, especially with it headquartered in Harlem of all places, that it has been silent on this issue,” Wilson said. “I’m very grateful, and it is appropriate that President Clinton is committed to taking this on.”
