NCJ Number
114033
Date Published
1987
Length
208 pages
Annotation
This book examines the future of AIDS in America, with attention to the scientific struggle, the potential magnitude of the disease, the social impact, and individual protection.
Abstract
Using data from reliable sources and material from historical accounts, this book presents a scenario of the nature and impact of an AIDS plague on America absent an effective vaccine/cure for AIDS. One potential impact of the AIDS epidemic is to affect the Federal Government's ability to continue current social welfare programming. As the spread of the disease grows exponentially, it may change the Nation's economy and the structure of the nuclear family. Extended families may live as a single unit as the Nation's 'security net' fails. The medical community may be incapable of meeting the needs of the millions who may need services. The resulting impact on medical costs, as a function of decreased private health insurance availability, may create civil disobedience and a nationalized health insurance that could drain the Nation's economy. Efforts toward the creation of AIDS vaccines and treatments are not encouraging. This book proposes the use of an inexpensive test to determine who in the general population is infected with the AIDS virus. Such persons would be genitally tattooed so that potential sex partners could make a knowledgeable choice about whether or not to have sexual relations with infected persons. Infected persons would otherwise not be identified to the general public. Recommendations also focus on scientific research and public health planning and action. AIDS projection data, 60-item bibliography.