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Spurred by James Nachtwey’s powerful photographs and RESULTS.org, the two major US presidential candidates, John McCain and Barack Obama, released statements yesterday detailing their plans for fighting TB. From John McCain’s statement:

As President, I will ensure that treatment and prevention programs are funded at levels befitting a wealthy and great nation. I will have a sustained commitment to helping people in need in Africa, Asia, and elsewhere cope with the ravages of this devastating disease.

From Barack Obama’s statement:

I will strengthen the health care infrastructure crucial to reducing the spread of tuberculosis and increase U.S. funding for the Global Fund – a partnership that’s already saved millions of lives from HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB. We’ll meet the Millennium Development Goals, which include halving the number of tuberculosis deaths. And we will live up to our commitment to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

Read both full statements below >>

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Photo of James Nachtwey courtesy of Robert Leslie.

From Barack Obama:

Barack Obama Statement at the TED Conference on Commitment to Fighting TB

October 3, 2008

Today, I congratulate the TED Conference and James Nachtwey on their efforts to highlight the importance of preventing the spread of tuberculosis. TB claims 1.7 million lives each year, and eliminating it will be a global challenge – but it’s a challenge we must take on. When I am President, I will strengthen the health care infrastructure crucial to reducing the spread of tuberculosis and increase U.S. funding for the Global Fund – a partnership that’s already saved millions of lives from HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB. We’ll meet the Millennium Development Goals, which include halving the number of tuberculosis deaths. And we will live up to our commitment to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a successful program that my running mate Joe Biden and I have long supported.

The annual TED conference brings together great minds and leaders in a mission to advance the American idea. It’s time you had a Washington that did its part. As President, I will live up to our commitment to fighting this epidemic, and together, we will make it clear that America is ready to lead again.

From John McCain:

JOHN MCCAIN STATEMENT ON THE GLOBAL FIGHT AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS

Friday, October 3, 2008

ARLINGTON, VA – McCain-Palin 2008 today released the following statement from John McCain on the launch of TED Prize winner James Nachtwey’s photos on extremely drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB):

“Tuberculosis is a devastating disease that accounts for nearly 2 million deaths a year. The painful and searing images of human suffering documented by James Nachtwey is another wake-up call for everyone around the globe to come together to meet their obligation to fight this disease. I honor him for his work. The lives of citizens of nations around the globe will be less prosperous and fulfilling without help to combat entrenched problems, such as tuberculosis, which afflicts poorer nations severely. It is critical that we face this crisis head-on with a committed global partnership. As President, I will ensure that treatment and prevention programs are funded at levels befitting a wealthy and great nation. I will have a sustained commitment to helping people in need in Africa, Asia, and elsewhere cope with the ravages of this devastating disease.”