Health News

Dear friends,

This year, World AIDS Day was marked by cuts to HIV funding and the devastating news that the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria would be cancelling its latest call for grant applications. In this update, we take a closer look at the funding crisis and discuss the barriers that stand in the way of finally ending AIDS.

We also look at the HIV epidemic in Russia and, in a bit of good news, a legal victory in Malawi that will help women living with HIV.

Thank you for reading, and please join us on Facebook and Twitter.

Paul Silva
psilva@sorosny.org
Follow me on Twitter: @PauloNYC

We Could End AIDS, But Will We?

At this moment in time, we are poised to drastically curb HIV. However, recent cuts in funding and a lack of political commitment threaten our progress. It’s time to demand more from our governments, or else we will continue to see millions of people die. Find out what we can do to change the tide.

How Punitive Drug Policy Fuels HIV in Russia

In the past few years Russia has emerged as a self-proclaimed leader in the fight against HIV. Yet rates of HIV infection are skyrocketing among Russia’s own population as a result of the government’s negligence, discriminatory policies, and hostility towards evidence-based practices. Read about HIV and drug policy in Russia.

Victory for Women in Malawi

A new law in Malawi finally gives women the right to inherit her husband's estate. In the past, widows and their children were often left with nothing after in-laws took possession of property and valuables. Women’s economic disempowerment has been particularly problematic in the shadow of AIDS. Learn more about the new law.

What We're Reading

• A Deadly Funding Crisis
  PlusNews
• HIV/AIDS: We Are All Unprotected
  The Guardian
• Washington Leaves Millions to Die
  Huffington Post
• Obama Says He Will Seek More Money for AIDS Programs
  New York Times
• On the Gutting of the Global Fund
  AIDS-Free World
• 5 Lives: How a Financial Transaction Tax Could Support Global Health
  Médecins Sans Frontières

From Our Twitter Feeds

• Obama's speech was great. But will he follow through? That's the question. When Congress delivers $$ to the #GlobalFund, then I'll applaud via @skowalski
• Despite ratifying Convention on Rights of People w Disabilities, countries have yet to take concrete action- http://blog.soros.org/2011/12/ratification-is-one-thing-action-is-quite-another/ #IDPD2011 via @PauloNYC
• Young People with #Disabilities in Africa Challenge the Status Quo http://blog.soros.org/2011/12/young-people-with-disabilities-in-africa-challenge-the-status-quo/ #UNCRPD #CRPD via @OSMHI
• European Parliament launches Pain Relief Alliance http://bit.ly/sPzRXu via @CareNotTorture
• The #Globalfund is in crisis, risking lives of millions; See the call to action: http://blog.results.org.uk/2011/12/01/a-call-to-action/ MT @resultsuk #worldaidsday via @BupeBabe
• Doctor and Patient: L.G.B.T. Issues Neglected in Medical Schools: http://nyti.ms/u1wsEh #lgbt #health via @PauloNYC

Follow all health-related tweets from the Open Society Foundations: @OpenSociety/health-team.