[ Music ]
>> Narrator: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, CDC, works 24/7 to protect the American people
from disease, including those that begin overseas.
In the fight against global HIV/AIDS, CDC plays a unique
and essential role in the U.S. President's Emergency Plan
for AIDS Relief, PEPFAR.
Today, 34 million people are living with HIV,
most in sub-Saharan Africa.
Every year, 2.7 million more people are infected.
Almost 400,000 of these new infections occur in children,
and nearly 90% of them are due
to mother-to-child HIV transmission.
This type of transmission is almost entirely preventable,
and has been nearly eliminated in the developed world.
Science shows using antiretroviral drugs,
can prevent new infections in children
and keep their mothers alive.
Antiretroviral drugs can also prevent new infections
in uninfected partners of HIV positive people.
This strategy can dramatically reduce new HIV infections
and help turn the tide in the 30-year HIV/AIDS epidemic.
As the U.S. science-based public health
and disease prevention agency, CDC draws on decades
of technical expertise in public health science and support
for Ministries of Health in over 75 countries.
CDC's unique workforce consists of highly trained clinicians,
epidemiologists, public health advisors, and health scientists.
Through PEPFAR, these experts work side-by-side with countries
to build strong national programs
and sustainable public health systems
that can respond effectively to the global HIV/AIDS epidemic
and to other diseases that threaten the health
and prosperity of the global community.
As of September 2011,
CDC through PEPFAR has helped support life-saving
antiretroviral drug treatment for more
than 3.9 million men, women, and children.
CDC works to identify the most cost-effective
and efficient practices that will lease
to more live saved at lower costs.
Annual costs for treating patients
through PEPFAR have dropped dramatically,
from nearly $1,100 per patient in 2004
when the program began to $335 in 2011.
This translates into more lives saved, more productive adults,
more stable economies for countries, and a safer,
healthier world for everyone.
CDC is supporting PEPFAR goals for an AIDS-free generation
and the beginning of the end of AIDS as announced in late 2011
by Secretary of State Clinton and President Obama.
>> Clinton: Once more our efforts have helped set the
stage for a historic opportunity,
one that the world has today to change the course
of this pandemic and usher in an AIDS-free generation.
>> President Obama: We can beat this disease,
we can win this fight.
We just have to keep at it, steady, persistent, today,
tomorrow, every day until we get to zero.
>> Narrator: Today, CDC is working with countries
to focus their efforts on high impact, proven interventions
and continues to conduct research
on preventing new HIV infections,
ultimately saving more lives,
and turning the tide in the epidemic.
>> Dr. Warui: CDC has been a help to us
because we are now able to remove the [inaudible] today
and put them on ARVs that prolong their lives,
improve their quality of life.
CDC has really helped us to put a program
that helps these children feel that they are loved
and they are integrated back to school.
Without this help, we would not be able
to take care of these children.
>> Narrator: Coptic is one of CDC's faith-based partners.
Here in 2011 more than 4000 consultations
with HIV infected children provided lifesaving care.
Over 200 mothers received medicine
to prevent transmitting HIV to their babies.
Working with Kenyans, CDC saves lives,
while controlling the spread of diseases at their source.
[ Music ]