by Emily Bridges, Director, Public Information Services 

Several heartbreaking articles about AIDS in Uganda and other low and middle income countries appeared in this Sunday's New York Times.

Uganda is often regarded as a model or microcosm of the fight against the HIV pandemic in Africa, and two of these articles address the situation there.  In sum:

1) "Casual sex" is on the rise
2) Condom use rates are decreasing and condom use is stigmatized
3) Not enough condoms are available
4) Few are fully educated about HIV and AIDS
5) High-risk situations like transactional sex and cross-generational sex contribute to the epidemic
6) The lack of a method that would combat HIV but not prevent pregnancy prevents many couples from using condoms
7) Funds to treat AIDS grow ever more limited as the world economy continues to falter.
8) A cure or vaccine seems to be nowhere in sight.

What can solve this terrible problem?

Uganda was once famous for its ABC (Abstinence, Be Faithful, Use Condoms) public education approach, but the socially conservative Museveni administration placed the emphasis on abstinence-only programs for all but those at highest risk.  File that under "Not helping," along with the "Anti-Homosexuality Bill," which under the guise of HIV prevention would make homosexuality a crime punishable by life imprisonment or even death. 

Also not helping?  Social conservatives and the Bush administration, who engineered both the segmented ABC approach and the Uganda bill.

It seems that once more it comes down to science vs ideology.  Will we, and Uganda, invest in systematic, pragmatic  HIV prevention, including education about abstinence and partner reduction ;  information about and access to condoms; and an investment in microbicide research? Or will we keep on this anti-condom, anti-gay road that substitutes one group's religious beliefs for proven methods for combating HIV and AIDS?   Millions of lives depend on the answer. 

Speak out against the Anti-Homosexuality Bill.

The NYT articles:

At Front Lines, AIDS War Is Falling Apart
Cultural Attitudes and Rumors Are Lasting Obstacles to Safe Sex
After Long Scientific Search, Still No Cure for AIDS
As the Need Grows, the Money for AIDS Runs Far Short