President Clinton Releases First-Ever National AIDS Strategy

12/20/96 FRI 18":58 FAX [phone]

AIDS POLICY

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* Reducing transmission of HIV from mother to child.
There has been a significant reduction in the number of infants diagnosed with
AIDS as a result of perinatal (mother-to-child) transmission of HIV. Between
1991 and 1995, the number of such infants declined 27 percent, including a 17
percent drop in 1994-95 alone. Research sponsored by the National Institutes of
Health determined that the use of AZT by HIV-positive pregnant women and
their newborns can reduce the risk of perinatal transmission by two-thirds. In the
coming year, the Public Health Service will be working in conjunction with major
medical and public health organizations to reduce this number further.
RESEARCH
* Accelerating AIDS Vaccine Development
The National Institutes of Health will establish a restructured AIDS vaccine effort
headed by Nobel Laureate David Baltimore of MIT to accelerate progress in
research and development of an effective AIDS vaccine. Vice President Gore will
continue his high-level work with the pharmaceutical industry, researchers,
clinicians, and patient advocates to move increase private-sector research and
development of AIDS vaccines.
* Maintaining the Office of AIDS Research
One of the most important developments of the past four years was the enactment
of legislation strengthening the Office of AIDS Research (OAR) at the National
Institutes of Health. In the year ahead, the Administration will seek
reauthorization of the OAR and retention of the Office's authority to develop and
carry out the AIDS research budget at NI.
* Developing Topical Microbicides
The National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention will begin a four-year $100 million effort to accelerate research and
development of safe and effective barriers to HIV transmission for women and
men.
* Advancing Prevention Science
The National Institutes of Health is developing a comprehensive prevention
science agenda that will address the biomedical, behavioral, and social approaches
to AIDS prevention interventions.

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