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The ARP 2004 Corporate Survey for Mexico reviewed the policies and practices of 20 of the top U.S. companies in Mexico regarding HIV/AIDS in the workplace. The findings reflect a sample covering companies employing a total of nearly 300,000 people in Mexico, and was conducted by questionnaires and interviews. The effort joined ARP with the POLICY Project, the American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico City and the U.S. Agency for International Development in reaching out to a range of companies from various industry sectors to compile the report, entitled "HIV/AIDS in the Workplace: 2004 Corporate Survey Report for Mexico."

The survey found many companies are taking a lead in reducing HIV stigma in the workplace, and building greater trust with employees to ensure higher voluntary testing rates and greater access to early medical care. Among the companies mentioned in the report were Fedex Express, Pepsico, Banamex (part of Citigroup) and 3M, all of whom have model policies and practices that are highlighted.

"We are here to praise leadership, and also to sound an alarm to the broader business community," said ARP Executive Director Abner Mason at a reception announcing the release of the report in Mexico City. "It is a matter of economic necessity that companies join the effort to fight AIDS, even here in Mexico, where progress has been made against the epidemic. We cannot rest, otherwise the disease may catch us unaware. Taking steps now, with policies and practices in response to HIV, will safeguard Mexicos economic future."

Mason stressed the critical role that business must play in the broader effort to combat HIV stigma in the workplace, which the report argues is a serious barrier to successful national AIDS strategies.

"Prevention and care strategies cannot succeed as long as stigma impedes broad-scale HIV testing, education and access to treatment," the report's author, Kevin Ivers, argued in the text. "Reducing stigma, therefore, is a vital element in any strategy to confront the HIV/AIDS threat, and for emerging economies in today's world, it is an absolute economic necessity."

Mason was joined at the event by USAID Assistant Administrator Adolfo Franco and USAID/Mexico Mission Director Ed Kadunc, as well as Jorge Saavedra of the National Center for the Prevention of HIV/AIDS (CENSIDA), a Mexican federal agency within the Ministry of Health, and Olaf Carrera, AmCham director of government affairs.

The effort was kicked off in June by U.S. Ambassador Antonio Garza and AmCham Vice President Jack Sweeney, who sent a joint introduction letter on behalf of ARP to the CEOs of the 20 companies urging their participation.

Mason also called on the business community in Mexico to "join together in an alliance to end HIV stigma, to eliminate the barriers to testing, treatment and improved health in the families of all our valuable employees in Mexico. It's good for people. It's good for business. Therefore, it's good for Mexico."

The report, with collated results, case studies, findings analysis and methodology, is available on the ARP website in Spanish and English at www.aidsesponsibility.org.