Update: Bush, Obama Make Statements Commemorating World AIDS Day

December 1, 2008 3:25 p.m. EST

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Marking the 20th anniversary of World Aids Day, President George W. Bush on Monday spoke about the worldwide success of his landmark initiative to fight the disease and "affirm the matchless value of every life." His successor, President-elect Barack Obama, lauded his efforts but also said the government must address the the "AIDS crisis" in the United States.

"One of the most important initiatives of my administration has been the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, known as PEPFAR. It's the largest international health initiative dedicated to a single disease," Bush said from the North Lawn of the White House. "When we launched PEPFAR, our goal was to support treatment for two million people in five years. Today, I'm pleased to announce that we have exceeded that goal - early."

"The American people, through PEPFAR, are supporting lifesaving treatment for more than two million people around the world. And when PEPFAR began, only 50,000 people living with HIV in all of sub-Sahara Africa were receiving antiretroviral treatment. Around the world, we've also supported care for more than 10 million people affected by HIV, including more than four million orphans and vulnerable children," he added.

Bush is scheduled to attend the Saddleback Civil Forum on Global Health in D.C. later that day where he will receive the first "International Medal of PEACE" from the Global PEACE Coalition. The forum is hosted by Saddleback church pastor Rick Warren.

Obama deliver taped remarks by video during the forum, saying, "I salute President Bush for his leadership in crafting a plan for AIDS relief in Africa and backing it up with funding dedicated to saving lives and preventing the spread of the disease. And my administration will continue this critical work to address the crisis around the world."

"But we must also recommit ourselves to addressing the AIDS crisis here in the United States with a strong national strategy of education, prevention and treatment, focusing on those communities at greatest risk. This strategy must be based on the best available science and built on the foundation of a strong health care system," the president-elect added.

The Black AIDS Institute said in a report in August HIV rates among American blacks are higher than those in impoverished nations that are part of a $15 billion PEPFAR.

The report, "Left Behind! Black America: A Neglected Priority in the Global AIDS Epidemic," praised the Bush administration for its efforts to combat HIV worldwide but said the government has been pushing a "flawed" strategy by excluding American blacks from its program. It said a separate, hypothetical Black America would rank as the 35th most populous nation in the world yet rank 16th in the number of HIV infections.