As the wealthiest nation in the world, the US Government should sustain its role as a major donor funding HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care programs. Increasing funding levels will be needed by the US in the coming years to support programs such as the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, 3% of the world's health workers struggle to combat 24% of the global disease burden. Experts estimate Sub-Saharan Africa needs 1 million more health workers who can deliver the vital AIDS drugs and other health services to their millions of patients.

The rate of HIV infection among women and girls is rising dramatically in much of the developing world, and has reached an alarmingly high level in sub-Saharan Africa. Women are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection due to gender violence and inequality, including the frequent lack of decision-making power in sexual activities.

In addition to the need to continue to fund programs aimed at stopping sexual transmission of the disease, HIV transmission in health care settings requires immediate and sustained attention to factors including transfusion and needle safety and proper staff training.

HIV transmission is an unfolding crisis among injection drug-users, particularly in parts of Eastern Europe, Russia, and Asia. Effective HIV/AIDS prevention strategies, including syringe exchange, education, drug treatment, and condom distribution, are essential interventions.