The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation has awarded the Nelson Mandela Award for Health and Human Rights to Dr. Peter Piot, executive director of UNAIDS. Established in 1992 by the Kaiser Foundation at the behest of former South African president, the Mandela Award annually recognizes extraordinary leadership in the effort to improve the health of disadvantaged populations.

Dr. Piot was recognized by the award committee for his outstanding leadership in the global struggle against HIV/AIDS. Since his appointment as executive director of UNAIDS in 1994, Piot has coordinated a more effective global response to the pandemic and expanded worldwide awareness of its impact.

Prior to his current position, Piot established a pioneering research record in the field of HIV/AIDS. In addition to identifying the first cases of HIV/AIDS in central Africa, Piot, through his research, helped to focus attention on the importance of heterosexual transmission in the spread of the disease, the interaction between HIV and tuberculosis, and the impact of HIV/AIDS on social and economic development in Africa. Piot also was responsible for establishing several collaborative projects to combat AIDS in central African countries, including the first international HIV/AIDS project in the developing world.

"There has never been a more important time to recognize and support international leadership in the fight against AIDS," said Kaiser Family Foundation president Drew Altman, Ph.D. "The current global mobilization against HIV would not exist without Dr. Piot's unflagging efforts at UNAIDS. His extraordinary accomplishments will be measured in the lives and health of millions of people around the world for years to come."