PUBLICATION NOTICE

The HIV/AIDS Monitor will be off next week. Thanks for following us in 2009 -- we look forward to continuing our coverage of global HIV/AIDS initiatives in 2010. Happy holidays!

OF NOTE THIS WEEK

A U.S. spending bill signed last week by President Barack Obama will extend $1.05 billion to the Global Fund during fiscal year 2010 to support programs to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and TB. Michel Kazatchkine, executive director of the Fund, said the appropriation -- the largest ever committed by one country to the Fund in a single year -- represented an encouraging sign that the U.S. remains committed to extending prevention and treatment to people in need. The Kaiser Family Foundation has compiled a breakdown of spending included in the bill for the Fund, as well as for other global health initiatives.

Also of note this week, based on conversations with donor representatives and the recent release of new policy documents, our interactive flash tool has been updated to incorporate recent donor action against our evidence-based recommendations.

NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE DONORS

• U.S. Ambassador Eric Goosby and Global Fund Executive Director Michel Kazatchkine visit Malawi to meet government officials and civil society members and observe supported programs
• The Global Fund holds its third Southern Africa regional meeting in Malawi
• PEPFAR releases its December newsletter

OTHER NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS

• HIV/AIDS Among Top 10 Crises of the Year (AP)
• U.S. Vows Science-Based Approach in AIDS Fight (Financial Times)
• Key Lawmakers Express Concern about U.S. Global AIDS Funding (Science Speaks)
• U.S. Lawmakers Condemn Anti-Gay Uganda Legislation (AP)
• Combatting HIV/AIDS in Africa: Soccer Instead of Unsafe Sex (Huffington Post)
• Global Fund Unblocks Philippine AIDS, Malaria Aid (Reuters)
• Mozambique: Malaria Remains Top Public Health Problem (All Africa)

RECENT CGD HEALTH POLICY BLOGS

• Girls Count, So Why Don't We Count Girls? By Ruth Levine
• Dispute over Pneumococcal Vaccine Initiative: A Response By Ruth Levine

HIV/AIDS MONITOR RECOMMENDATIONS AND POLICY IMPACT

• The HIV/AIDS Monitor has been tracking the policy changes among PEPFAR, the Global Fund and the World Bank MAP related to the recommendations that have come out of our research. Explore these changes using our interactive flash tool.