The United States has announced plans to increase its funding levels to Zimbabwe, particularly in the health sector — despite a diplomatic tiff between Washington and Harare. [...]    “We are very heartened that our Congress just passed the budget within the last few days and our President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) funding is remaining constant. In fact it will likely grow to almost $150m next year,” said Thomas.

Medical diplomacy is the kind of foreign policy tool that the world’s most powerful nation should embrace. [...] Nations such as the United States that have the financial and logistical ability to respond to these epidemics should accept their moral responsibility to do so. In the case of the United States, “America first” does not mean “America only.” Spending a tiny fraction of this country’s wealth to save lives should be done without a second thought.

St. William Grant Park in downtown Kingston was abuzz with activities last Thursday, as people converged on the venue to commemorate World AIDS Day. [...] This year’s World AIDS Day activities had a youth focus which strategic information advisor at UNAIDS Erva-Jean Stevens told the Jamaica Observer was vital, as data shows that new infections among young people 15-19 years old are not decreasing at a fast enough rate.

No one at the high-level United Nations conference devoted to ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 denies serious scientific and financial challenges remain, but cultural sensitivities may prove the toughest stumbling block on the way to achieving that goal.

This year’s International Condom Day theme in the U.S. is “Wrap Your App!” The campaign promoting safety and HIV, STD and pregnancy prevention is a nod to tech savvy individuals built around a smartphone-themed graphic showing a menu of apps. The ‘Wrap Your App’ campaign follows on the heels of the powerful AHF dating app billboard campaign that prompted Tinder to create a Health Safety Section page on its mobile app listing and linking to HIV and STD testing service locations.

 A rising call for African-led research has permeated Cape Town this week as HIV researchers and scientists from around the world flooded the city for the first HIV Research for Prevention Conference.