via HIV Prevention Justice Alliance (HIV PJA)
The urgent call for organizational sign-on is being sent on behalf of AVAC, HIVMA, and the FAPP Research Working Group:
Federal HIV research funding is in jeopardy!
Deadline: Friday, June 12
As Congress begins work on the FY16 Labor, HHS and Education appropriation measures, we are hearing that there is a possible agreement in the House of Representatives to cut 10 - 20% of the HIV research funding allocation for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
This is a time to prioritize, not cut HIV/AIDS research. We cannot lose sight of the sobering reality that there remain over one million people living with HIV in the U.S., and almost 50,000 Americans become newly infected every year.
Robust funding of research into diseases endemic to the United States must be supported, but it is unwise and misguided to allocate research dollars simply on the basis of disease burden in the U.S. Research investment also must follow scientific opportunity to have the greatest impact and the need to halt the spread of deadly infectious diseases must be a priority.
Take action to stop these devastating cuts by signing your organization onto an "open letter to congress." Currently 77+ organizations have signed on – however, the threat is very real, and we need as large a show of support as possible. Now is a critical time for the HIV/AIDS community to stand together in support of sustaining HIV/AIDS research dollars.
