The Hidden Epidemic of children with HIV was the focus of today’s briefing on Capitol Hill hosted by the Children’s AIDS Fund International, UNAIDS, UNICEF, the Institute for Youth Development and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

Of the 35 million people in the world living with HIV, 3.2 million are children.   At least 2 million of them do not have access to the antiretroviral treatment that is essential for their survival.   Every day 700 children are newly infected and remain untreated, 50% of infected infants will die before their second birthday, and 80% will die before age 5.

Experts agree that this gap must become a priority for policy makers, pharmaceutical companies, and the general public– these children are being left behind.

Speakers including Ambassador Deborah Birx, the newly appointed U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator,  cited the great successes that has been achieved over the last decade in treating adults with HIV—including prevention of mother to child transmission.   But there is also broad agreement that there is a treatment gap that still exists for children who are infected with HIV.   These children, numbering 3.2 million, have been left behind.

While treatment for children is more complex than for adults, all the experts agree that this gap must become a priority for policy makers, pharmaceutical companies, and the general public in order to prevent the unnecessary deaths of millions of children.  These children, if provided with the needed medicine, can life long and healthy lives.

Through the Children’s AIDS Fund International you can help bring life-saving treatment to this Hidden Epidemic of Children around the world.

For 25 years, the Children’s AIDS Fund International has worked tirelessly for children living with and dying from the ravages of HIV/AIDS.  CAFI works around the world with government, faith, business, and community leaders to save vulnerable children and their families impacted by HIV/AIDS.

Thank you for awakening our consciences at a time when many were silent in the face of the spread of a disease that has left millions of children orphaned and vulnerable.

CAFI excels where others fail because you not only invest resources in treatment and care, but also because you promote and support proven strategies and sound policies to prevent HIV transmission that make real difference in the lives of children.  Thank you for awakening our consciences at a time when many were silent in the face of the spread of a disease that has left millions of children orphaned and vulnerable.  May you enjoy many more years of success saving lives across the globe.

Ray Ruddy

Founder & President

Gerard Health Foundation

CAFI has been a light house in the storm of HIV/AIDS. Since the beginning of the epidemic, when so many were arguing or strategizing on “what” to do, we came forward with sound policy and action. Reaching out to those infected and affected by this horrible disease. We have stood for twenty five years while the epidemic swelled and raged into a pandemic and now…..we are still here, still fighting, still reaching out and giving aid to those in need.

We have stood while the epidemic swelled and raged into a pandemic and now…..we are still here, still fighting, still reaching out and giving aid to those in need.

Please stand with us against the HIV/AIDS storm, join us, donate, get involved and help us continue the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Lisa Shoemaker

Person living with HIV

Educator & Activist

Children with HIV have many health needs beyond medical treatment.  One often overlooked but critical area is dental hygiene.  This is even more important for HIV positive children because medicines used in antiretroviral therapy (ART) can be very hard on the teeth.   Through a grant from MAXIMUS Foundation, CAFI provided dental hygiene education and treatment for 350 children served by Family Hope Centres in Kampala and Jinja Uganda.

The program kicked off with a training session for children and their parent or guardian teaching about how teeth are made, why it is important to keep them clean and healthy, and how to brush effectively.     Each child received a toothbrush, toothpaste and clean water to practice brushing under the supervision of a dentist, then had a dental examination.

“Dental care is expected to relieve oral pain, improve nutrition, general well- being and ultimately create bigger smiles on the faces of children under our care.”  CAF Uganda Medical Director Dr. Carole Ssekimpi

Under this project, dental care was added to the pediatric client clinic rotation, so during their monthly clinic visits pediatric clients saw a nurse, doctor, counselor, pharmacist and dentist with the goal of providing comprehensive services all designed to lay a foundation for healthier life outcomes.

CAFI welcomes donations of toothbrushes, toothpaste or funds to help HIV infected children to have healthier lives and wider smiles.