On World AIDS Day, Planned Parenthood Calls on Congress to Support Greater Investments in Public Health Programs to achieve an AIDS-Free Generation
For Immediate Release: Dec. 1, 2014
December 1, 2014 – In recognition of World AIDS Day on December 1, Planned Parenthood is calling on the United States Congress to invest in health programs, globally and domestically, needed to achieve the U.S. goal of an AIDS-free generation. To achieve an AIDS-free generation, we need greater prevention of new HIV infections and treatment and care for those living with HIV to prevent new AIDS diagnoses.
As the nation’s leading women’s health care provider and advocate, Planned Parenthood is committed to reducing the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic by providing nonjudgmental, comprehensive, high-quality reproductive health care to all women, men, and young people and by fighting for policies and funding that protect and empower these groups.
"Planned Parenthood is committed to fighting for the world we want, and that includes an AIDS-free generation," said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. "On World AIDS Day, we join partners in the U.S. and around the world in fighting for the healthiest generation ever, and we call on the U.S. government to increase investment and resources to achieve this reality. With Congress set to complete the spending bill this month, this day is a reminder that investments in vital healthcare programs in the U.S. and around the world, including HIV/AIDS and reproductive health, are essential."
Planned Parenthood health centers provide HIV screening (700,000 in 2012, the last data available); provide information and education through the Planned Parenthood website, which receives approximately 52 million unique online visits every year; reach more than one million people through education programs; and are serving more men — who primarily visit Planned Parenthood for STD testing — as a part of Planned Parenthood’s commitment to expand our reach, including to gay and bisexual men.
Globally, working in partnership with 53 organizations across Africa and Latin America, Planned Parenthood reached more than 1 million people with sexual and reproductive health information and services last year alone, and continued to build the capacity of its partners to engage in effective advocacy efforts. Planned Parenthood also advocates for U.S. leadership in combating HIV/AIDS through funding for global health programs and policies that support an evidence-based and human rights approach, such as comprehensive sex education and integrating reproductive health care with HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment services.
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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 700 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.
Source
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Contact
Planned Parenthood Federation of America media office: 212-261-4433
Published
December 01, 2014