The role of the IMF in combating HIV/AIDS is important for two reasons. First, the IMF is an influential organization in establishing countries' fiscal and development policies. Second, and more important, IMF attention represents the transition of AIDS as a "public health crisis" to AIDS as a "global / economic crisis".

To its credit, the IMF has paid significant and steady attention to AIDS over past years. The IMF web site lists nearly 500 documents since 2001 addressing "hiv". The overall IMF response to AIDS is summarized in the fact sheet "The IMF's Role in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS".

Additional attention will come this December when, corresponding with World AIDS Day, the IMF launches an important new book "The Macroeconomics of HIV/AIDS", edited by Markus Haacker.