Put another check in the "Obama for Change" column: The president-elect plans to fight the global AIDS epidemic by promoting condom usage, moving away from the Bush administration's abstinence-education strategy.

Under Bush's multi-billion dollar U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the sub-Saharan African, Asian and Caribbean countries most affected by HIV and AIDS receive testing, treatment and education. The program uses the "ABC" approach: Abstinence, Be faithful and Correct, and consistent condom use -- with the main focus on abstinence and fidelity.

"What Works"
Some studies have shown, though, that abstinence programs are not effective in cutting HIV risk. As president, Barack Obama intends to address this once he takes office, shifting to a more practical and scientific approach. "We have been going in the wrong direction," says Susan F. Wood, co-chair of Obama's advisory committee for women's health. Wood says that requiring health workers to emphasize abstinence and monogamy over condom usage has set back STD prevention and family planning efforts; Obama plans to focus on "what works."

Immediately after word of Obama's proposals broke, pro-life and religious groups began expressing their opposing views. Groups like the National Abstinence Education Association fear that teaching teens about anything other than abstinence will only serve to spread dangerous ideas. "Why give an alternative and have them take a risk?" asks Rev. Sam Lawrence Ruteikara of the Anglican Church of Uganda.

Reversing Bush's Rule
Obama is also expected to reverse the Mexico City Policy (aka, the global gag rule), which restricts international family planning groups that receive U.S. financial aid from talking about abortion (clinics can't present it as an option, provide a referral or educate about the dangers of unsafe abortion).

With about 70,000 women dying every year from unsafe or illegal abortions, the arguments against the gag rule are obvious. Reinstated by Bush on his first day in office, the gag rule is one of many Bush administration policies that Obama will be able to undo quickly upon inauguration, if he so chooses.

Tell us! What do you think is the best way for the U.S. to help halt the spread of AIDS in other countries? What other policy changes do you hope Obama makes once he gets to the White House?