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REMARKS BY:	DONNA E. SHALALA, SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN
                   SERVICES
PLACE:		11th International Conference on AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
DATE:		July 9, 1996

We come here today from different countries, with different languages, different cultures, and different religions. But, a common bond unites us -- our commitment to protecting the health of women, men, and children the world over.

It is that commitment that I have come here this morning to discuss with you. Because, in just fifteen years -- the time it takes to raise a child from birth to adolescence -- a wave of human destruction has swept over our planet.

In that time, HIV has claimed the lives of more than six million people. And, we expect that more than 5 million children under age 10 will be orphaned because of this insidious virus.

We know that women constitute more than 40 percent of adult HIV infections around the globe. By the end of the century, experts predict that most new HIV infections will be among women. We know that biologically and socially women are more vulnerable to HIV infection. We know that HIV expresses itself differently in women than it does in men.

And, as we approach the dawn of the 21st century, we know that the real faces of AIDS include our mothers and our sisters, our children and our nieces, our neighbors and our friends.

But, they are not alone. Because, in the face of this tragedy, there are also glimmers of hope.

In just three years, we have traveled from the despair of Berlin to the hope of Vancouver. Not false hope. But, hope grounded in science.

Under the leadership of President Clinton, the United States has dramatically increased its commitment to combatting HIV and AIDS around the world -- planting the seeds of today's and tomorrow's victories by re-focusing and re-energizing our research agenda.

By creating frank and honest public education campaigns.

By directly involving non-governmental organizations and people living with HIV in the planning and implementation of our AIDS strategy.

By forging partnerships with our pharmaceutical industry, experts from academia, and members of the AIDS community to remove bureaucratic roadblocks and speed the development of AIDS- related vaccines and drugs -- including protease inhibitors.

And, by continuing to support international efforts -- especially the extraordinary work of the new United Nations AIDS program -- and its visionary leader, Dr. Peter Piot.

Like anything worth doing, the seeds of these investments have taken time to root. Yet, planted in the memory of those we could not save, and nourished with love and vision their flowers have now started to bloom, bearing the sweetest fruit of all for women and children around the world -- results.

What do I mean by results?

I mean that, thanks to the brilliant work of scientists worldwide, thanks to the wonderful leadership of Dr. Bill Paul and Dr. Tony Fauci at the National Institutes of Health and our steady investment in basic science, we know that the use of AZT can reduce the risk of perinatal transmission of HIV by as much as two-thirds.

We now know that sexually transmitted diseases increase a woman's risk of HIV infection.

And, thanks to nearly a decade of hard work, we now have a powerful weapon in our battle to help those living with HIV and AIDS -- the new class of drugs called protease inhibitors.

The development, approval times, and promise of these new drugs have been nothing less than remarkable. Three new drugs in one year -- each one in record time.

Clearly, we still need more information about these drugs -- information about their long-term effects, how to best combine them, when to administer them, and how to avoid resistance.

But, in the dark shadows of Berlin, who would have ever imagined that we'd be talking about suppressing HIV in the bloodstream?

We must do more than imagine now.

We must work to ensure that our greatest breakthroughs are placed firmly within the grasp of every citizen.

No citizen of the world -- no matter where they live or how little money they have -- should be sentenced to misery while their brothers and sisters are reaping the benefits of our sustained investment in science.

But, even as we work to improve the length and quality of life of all citizens living in the shadow of HIV and AIDS, we must remember that our battle against HIV and AIDS is far from over.

We must remember that there is only one clear road to victory, only one way to stop this disease from touching the lives of any more families, any more children.

We must prevent the transmission of HIV -- before it ever happens.

That's why we will never give up our fight to develop a vaccine and find a cure.

That's why we're sending clear messages to our citizens: encouraging them to abstain from sex and drugs or insist that their partners use latex condoms consistently and correctly.

And, that's why, until there is a cure, our first priority has been -- and must always be -- prevention.

Today I am pleased to announce a new comprehensive, integrated research strategy for AIDS prevention led by the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

We're increasing our investment in research designed to prevent the transmission of HIV -- research into vaccines, into human behavior, and into new forms of prevention. And, as a central part of this strategy, we're stepping up our efforts to develop topical microbicides for women.

Today, too often, women must rely solely on their male partner for protection from HIV. And, in too many cases, that means no protection at all.

We all know this must change.

All women must have the tools they need to protect themselves and their children -- free from the fear of abuse or condemnation.

With a safe and effective topical microbicide, women all over the world will be educated and empowered to prevent HIV.

I am proud of the fact that, in the past three years, we have nearly tripled our investment in microbicide research. And, I am asking NIH and CDC to continue to increase that investment over the next four years.

These two agencies plan to spend a cumulative total of more than $100 million in microbicide research over the next four years. That's a real investment in women's health and women's lives.

Today, we ask our partners -- from the pharmaceutical industry to the leaders of other nations, from researchers to those living with HIV -- to join with us in this -- and every other -- fight.

Let me be clear: Any breach in international solidarity is a victory for the virus.

As Ghandi said, "We must become the change we want to see."

So, together, let us challenge ourselves to continue to support biomedical research, uncovering great scientific discoveries that educate and empower women to protect themselves against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Let us educate men -- especially our young men -- to respect women and to protect their families by taking personal responsibility for preventing the spread of disease.

And, let us never forget the underlying socioeconomic factors that prevent women from protecting themselves and their families.

Because, our battle against HIV and AIDS is also a battle against racism, sexism, poverty, and homophobia. And, as citizens of the world, we must continue to confront these battles -- individually and collectively -- if we are to win the war against AIDS.

Because, if we are to conquer HIV -- and I firmly believe that we will -- it will take more than passionate speeches.

It will take education and action. It will take loud voices and bold visions. It will take the courage and commitment of scientists and advocates alike.

But, it must be done. It will be done.

In the names of those who have been affected by HIV and AIDS throughout the globe -- citizens we have lost and those fighting to survive -- all of us must join hands, now and forever, in the fight to reach our common goal, in the fight to save our planet.

Thank you.