Global Fund Report Shows Lifesaving U.S. Investments are Working

Washington D.C.- ONE, a global anti-poverty advocacy group, today highlighted findings from the Global Fund’s 2010 Results Report that demonstrates how U.S. investments fighting HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and child mortality are working, delivering results measured in 3,600 saved lives per day. With continued investments, the report found that landmark global health achievements-such as the virtual elimination of mother-to-child HIV transmission and the end of deaths from malaria-are within reach by 2015.

“Today’s Global Fund report is another reminder that U.S. investments in programs like the Global Fund and PEPFAR are delivering remarkable results,” said Sheila Nix, ONE’s U.S. Executive Director. “There is a direct relationship between these investments and the millions of lives saved in the last few years from HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.  We are now in a position where it is possible to imagine a world where no one dies from malaria and no more children are born with HIV-but only with continued strong investments from the United States and the international community. The United States has the opportunity to maintain and accelerate this amazing lifesaving progress by fully funding its commitment this year to the Global Fund, PEPFAR and other disease-fighting programs.”

The Global Fund 2010 Results Report, released today, projected that the virtual elimination of mother-to-child HIV transmission by 2015 is within reach, that malaria may be eliminated as a public health problem within a decade, and that the international target of halving tuberculosis prevalence could be met by 2015. Throughout this year, the Global Fund will be raising funds for its replenishment. This process will largely determine the Global Fund’s financial resources for the next three years and will determine whether these goals can be met.

Also according to the report, Global Fund-supported programs saved at least 3,600 lives per day in 2009 and an estimated total of 4.9 million since the creation of the Global Fund in 2002. By the end of 2009, Global Fund-supported programs provided antiretroviral treatment to 2.5 million people with HIV/AIDS, treatment to 6 million people who had active TB, and had distributed 104 million insecticide-treated nets to prevent malaria. In addition to averting at least 3,600 deaths daily, the programs prevent thousands of new infections and alleviate untold suffering and economic loss for poor families in 144 countries.

ONE strongly urges President Obama and Congress to maintain spending on these programs in the FY2011 federal budget to levels that will continue the enormous success they have delivered to date.