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A Decade Of A Maturing Epidemic: An Assessment And Directions For Future Public Policy, Lawrence O. Gostin

Georgetown Law Faculty Publications and Other Works

The author's goal in this article, is not merely to propose public health strategies for the future, but also to examine why government has been so slow, so equivocal, in its public health response to the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic. He argues that there has been a fundamental ambivalence in perceptions of the epidemic. For some, AIDS is perceived as a disease, with sympathy for sufferers. Once AIDS is viewed as a disease, like other catastrophic diseases, it follows that public policy will be based upon science and epidemiology--health education, research and treatment.

For others, AIDS is caused …

The Nucleus Of A Public Health Strategy To Combat Aids, Lawrence O. Gostin

Georgetown Law Faculty Publications and Other Works

Since acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) was first identified in I98I, its rate of spread among a primarily young and vibrant population has chilled the medical and lay communities. Today, the public response is sober and oriented toward the examination of specific policies that could lessen the impact of the disease. After six years' experience it is now feasible to propose a strategy for combating AIDS. Consensus around the policies outlined in this article should form the nucleus of the public health strategy to combat AIDS before the intervention of an effective vaccine or treatment.