The La Sima Foundation, Inc.

Twenty-one years ago, a summit of health ministers realized that a united global effort was required to halt the spread of HIV. As a result, World AIDS Day emerged as the first international health day in December 1988.
The aim of World AIDS Day is to bring to people's attention the worldwide challenges and consequences of the epidemic - ultimately halting the spread of HIV and improving the lives of people living with the virus.
“Leadership" has been chosen by the World AIDS Campaign as the theme for World AIDS Day 2007 and 2008.

Once I heard someone say that, “leadesrhip is about influence”. Today as we embark on a new era of political influence in America and ultimately throughout the world, I feel confident that we will also embark on a new era of milestones in the AIDS Pandemic. AIDS Vacines are on the near horizon and an AIDS cure may not be far off. The question today is, “will the Obama circle of influence reach into the HIV/AIDS arena… and make a difference”. Perhaps, one of the more notable accomplishments of the present Bush administration was the President’s commitment to continue to fight AIDS in the United States and abroad.

Last year on World AIDS Day, President Bush signed H.R. 5501, the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008. This act alone ensured that people all over the world would receive anti-retroviral medication treatment needed to combat AIDS. Vice-President Elect Joe Biden provided the much needed support to get the reauthorization act passed.

President elect, Barack Obama has pledged that, in the first year of his presidency, he will develop and begin to implement a comprehensive national HIV/AIDS strategy that includes all federal agencies. The strategy will be designed to reduce HIV infections, increase access to care and reduce HIV-related health disparities. I truly believe that President elect Obama’s national strategy will not be short sighted. I believe the new national strategy will not just articulate continuing growing disparity of HIV/AIDS among African Americans but will also put much needed resources where the needs of ethnic minorities infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS will be met.

- Paul Clarkson, Executive Director