Mission News: Why Should I Care?

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In 2004, the Baltimore/Towson metropolitan areas had the 5th highest AIDS case report rate of any major metropolitan area in the United States, behind Miami, New York, Baton Rouge and Washington, DC. The Baltimore/Towson area rate is 2.2 times higher than the national average of 14.9 cases per 100,000 population.

& Far

President Bush's $15 billion, 5-year global AIDS program began in 2004-- 20% earmarked for prevention efforts, and $1 billion of that devoted to abstinence-only programs. United States officials say the United States is committed to a 3-part strategy called A-B-C: abstinence, being faithful in marriage and correct and consistent use of condoms. Studies in Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe show that abstinence does help lower HIV rates in Africa. "The declines are real, and the behavior change is real," says Dr. Mark Dybul, deputy United States global AIDS coordinator.