US Mission Geneva

Deaths from HIV/AIDS have declined, and new infections of the deadly virus have decreased while the dissemination of treatment is on a steadily upward trend.

Ambassador King delivered the opening statement today and expressed our optimism that this WHO meeting will finalize a package of voluntary global targets and indicators along with a global monitoring framework to strengthen and focus our collective action to prevent and control non-communicable diseases.

The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), the U.S. Mission and the Mission of Panama co-hosted a roundtable discussion on the development of targets and indicators for the prevention and control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). U.S. Ambassador Betty E. King delivered opening remarks pointing out that the U.S. is “strongly committed to raising profile of NCDs as a major global public health concern.”

Broadening global understanding about mental illness is the goal of the World Health Organization’s World Mental Health Day October 10 and National Mental Health Awareness Week October 7–13 in the United States.

This month, we stand with the mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, and friends who have been affected by breast cancer, and we recognize the dedicated advocates, researchers, and health care providers who strive to defeat this terrible disease.

Today, the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), UNITAID, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced an agreement that will significantly reduce the cost of a new, highly accurate, rapid diagnostic test for tuberculosis (TB) in 145 high-burden and developing countries.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton met with former South African President Nelson Mandela at his home in the village of Qunu August 6 before addressing the first-ever U.S.-South Africa Business Partnership, meeting with senior South African officials and attending the U.S.-South Africa Strategic Dialogue.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is discussing health care, agriculture and women’s empowerment as she continues her 10-day Africa tour in Uganda, Kenya and Malawi.

Today, more than 300,000 Ugandans are receiving treatment through PEPFAR. And I will be looking forward to be meeting with John Robert Engole who eight years ago was near death. He was the first person in the world to receive life-saving medication through PEPFAR.