2008-08-02 22:26:02 -

- "These numbers are a scathing indictment of how profoundly U.S. and CDC HIV prevention efforts have failed," said Michael Weinstein, President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the U.S. largest AIDS organization, in a statement from Mexico City. "Despite the way the CDC is spinning these new numbers--which AHF has been calling for the public release of since last October--there is absolutely no good news here. Without an accurate picture of the epidemic, vastly underestimated for the past ten years, we have missed countless opportunities to intervene with effective public health strategies. The U.S. must immediately appropriate $200 million in order to test 10 million people over the next three years. Massive scale-up of HIV testing is the only way to

bring down these appalling numbers. Identifying all those who are infected and linking them to treatment, is the only way to break the chain of new infections and begin to address the nation's runaway epidemic." -0- Media Availability - ALL DAY Michael Weinstein, AHF President (323) 810-1238 Whitney Engeran, III, Director of AHF's Public Health Division (562) 682-1075

About AHF

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is the US' largest HIV/AIDS organization. AHF currently provides treatment, care and support services to more than 79,000 individuals in 20 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean and Asia. Additional information is available at www.aidshealth.org

AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Ged Kenslea, 323-791-5526
gedk@aidshealth.org
Lori Yeghiayan, 323-377-4312
lori.yeghiayan@aidshealth.org