On World AIDS day, a shift in policy from South Africa

Today is World AIDS Day and across the globe, activists, government officials and NGOs are participating in hundreds of events to raise awareness about the disease. Some 33 million people are living with HIV worldwide. But Sub-Saharan Africa continues to be the region most heavily affected, accounting for sixty seven percent of all HIV cases. What’s more, 91 percent of all new infections are among children, according to UNAIDS. Another 14 million children have become orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa, after their parents died from the disease.

The rate of HIV-AIDS in South Africa is particularly startling where, according to the World Health Organization, 1 out of 5 people live with HIV. That's more than any other country. But policies could be shifting. Earlier today, President Jacob Zuma announced a new plan that would bring life-saving treatment to HIV-positive infants under 12 months old and to pregnant women. This comes, however, as international groups released a report criticizing President Obama for a lack of funding for AIDS/HIV programs in Africa. Assessing his first year in office, the report gave the president a grade of D-plus.

We’re joined by Dr. Paul Zeitz, executive director of Global AIDS Alliance, a non partisan advocacy network based in Washington DC.