Public Health Commons^™

Hiv Antibody Testing: Performance And Counseling Issues, Michael Gross

New England Journal of Public Policy

This article assesses the performance of currently used tests for exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the infectious agent associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS); suggests, in view of that information, guidelines for counseling people seeking HIV antibody testing; and evaluates the claim that because antibody test results will effect behavior change in those who are infected, all members of high-risk groups should be tested.

HIV testing is likely to yield a high proportion of false-positive results in low-risk populations and infants born to infected mothers. A negative result may not establish freedom from infection in high-risk groups or the …

Ethical Issues In Aids Research, Michael A. Grodin, Paula V. Kaminow, Raphael Sassower

New England Journal of Public Policy

There is a need for carefully controlled and scientifically rigorous research studies of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The morbidity and mortality associated with AIDS patients and the public health concerns for control of this epidemic have distorted the usual process of research. The Institutional Review Board at Boston City Hospital is suggested as an appropriate mechanism for clarifying the distinctions between research and innovative therapies and for assuring the protection of this vulnerable population of research subjects. This article addresses ethical concerns relating to the time frame of research, drug and antibody testing, vaccine trials, and questions of justice …

The Aids Epidemic: A Prism Distorting Social And Legal Principles, Alec Gray

New England Journal of Public Policy

The AIDS epidemic is affecting American society in far-reaching and unexpected ways. It touches our institutions, our value systems, and our private lives. Social issues seem to change and become distorted by the epidemic 's prismlike effect. This article examines some of the major public health issues raised by the epidemic, ranging from testing to contact tracing and quarantine. It argues that while the civil rights of individuals may have to be sacrificed to stem the spread of the disease, those rights should not be abandoned unless a clear benefit to the public health would result.

Issues of discrimination in …

Human Immunodeficiency Virus In Intravenous Drug Users: Epidemiology, Issues, And Controversies, Donald E. Craven

New England Journal of Public Policy

Intravenous drug users are the second most common risk group for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the United States, and they account for approximately 25 percent of the cases. Drug users may spread human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by sharing contaminated drug injection paraphernalia and through sexual contact; women who use drugs can transmit the virus to their children. The rapid spread of HIV in this risk group and the fact that intravenous drug users are a source for heterosexual and perinatal transmission underscore the need for immediate intervention. In addition, many drug addicts are poor, have limited career possibilities, and …

Minorities And Hiv Infection, Veneita Porter

New England Journal of Public Policy

This article discusses a preliminary comparison of responses to AIDS in ethnic communities and their basis in previously established support systems. The importance of public policy and its connection to racism and cultural insensitivities are discussed as they relate to communities of color at risk. Particular attention is paid to problems of communication and to the ethics involving confidentiality.

Aids Initiatives In Massachusetts: Building A Continuum Of Care, Nancy Weiland Carpenter

New England Journal of Public Policy

The Health Resource Office was officially established within the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in August 1985 to coordinate policy, education, research, and service response to the AIDS epidemic, and to focus attention on the social and economic impact of the disease. The actual work of the office was begun earlier, in October 1983. This article reviews the activities of the Health Resource Office from October 1983 through June 1987 in allocating resources for AIDS and ARC programs and services. It then describes the conceptual model that evolved during this period for the continuum of services needed to reduce HIV …

Call To Action: A Community Responds, Larry Kessler, Ann M. Silvia, David Aronstein, Cynthia Patton

New England Journal of Public Policy

This article will examine the early formation of the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, and what it has become. It will examine particular philosophical and organizational conflicts, some unique to AIDS organizing, that have influenced the direction the group has taken. It will try to tease out some of the factors that have made the organization successful in delivering services, providing education, and affecting city and state policy. It will also examine some of the unresolved conflicts that threaten the organization.

Epidemiology And Health Policy Imperatives For Aids, Katherine Hill Chavigny, Sarah L. Turner, Anne K. Kibrick

New England Journal of Public Policy

The purpose of this article is to describe the statistics and epidemiological facts about the most virulent epidemic of our age, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The discussion argues for broadened public policy to promote the surveillance of communities in order to enhance the effectiveness of data gathering for epidemiological reasoning, analysis, and control measures. To accomplish these goals, the essential characteristics of epidemiology are defined. The use of deductive and inductive reasoning is applied to describe and analyze known facts concerning the AIDS epidemic. Hypotheses are suggested from current amorphous and continually changing information to assist in further explanations of …

Case-Control Study Of Vitamin A Intake And Colorectal Cancer In Seventh-Day Adventists, John William Morgan

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in Americans; producing approximately 60,000 deaths in Americans each year. Studies of high and low risk populations have suggested a dietary etiology for colorectal cancer, although investigations of specific dietary factors have produced inconsistent results.

Population based studies of California Seventh-day Adventists demonstrate dietary variety regarding factors suspected as important in the etiology of colorectal cancer. These studies document a substantially reduced mortality and incidence from colorectal cancer in Seventh-day Adventists when compared to other California Populations. Although specific reasons for this difference remain obscure, the 'Unique lifestyle and …

Letter To The Editor (Human Immunodeficiency Virus In Costa Rica), Mark W. Oberle, Charles A. Schable, Mary Guinan, Luis Rosero

Public Health Faculty Publications

Recent reports of 12 confirmed cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in Costa Rica have generated interest in the extent of spread of human T-lymphotropic virus type III/LAV (HTLV-III) in Latin America (1). To date, all cases of AIDS in Costa Rica have occurred in members of previously identified, high-risk groups, chiefly hemophiliacs. To examine the possibility of heterosexual transmission in Costa Rica, we utilized sera collected in a population-based case-control study of cervical cancer, conducted by the Costa Rican Demographic Association and other institution.

Ua37/30/2 Wku Research Notecards - H Topics, Lowell Harrison

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

Notecards created by Lowell Harrison while researching his book Western Kentucky University. The cards transcribed are for 108 topics beginning with H ranging from Hail Storm to Hundred Club.

Ua37/30/2 Wku Research Notecards - F Topics, Lowell Harrison

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

Notecards created by Lowell Harrison while researching his book Western Kentucky University. The cards transcribed below are for 259 topics beginning with F ranging from Faculty - Hunt to Future of Education.

Chronic Respiratory Disease Symptom Effects Of Long-Term Cumulative Exposure To Passive Tobacco Smoke And To Ambient Levels Of Tsp, Oxidants, So2, And No2 In Southern California, Gary L. Euler

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

To assess risk of chronic respiratory disease symptoms due to long-term exposure to the ambient levels of TSP, oxidants, SO2 and NO2 in photochemical air pollution, symptoms were ascertained using NHLBI questions on 8,572 Southern California Seventh-day Adventist, nonsmokers, 25 years and older, who lived eleven years or longer in their 1977 residential area. Tobacco smoke, active and passive, and occupational exposures were measured by questionnaires, as well as lifestyle characteristics relative to pollution exposure such as time spent outside and residence history. A pulmonary function feasibility study was done on a subsample of 86 women 50-64 years of age …

Heterosexual And Homosexual Patients With The Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome: A Comparison Of Surveillance, Interview, And Laboratory Data, Mary Guinan, Pauline A. Thomas, Paul F. Pinksy, James T. Goodrich, Richard M. Selik, H W. Jaffe, H W. Haverkos, Gary Noble, J W. Curran

Public Health Faculty Publications

Homosexual and heterosexual patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome were compared by risk group. Race; diagnoses; history of sexually transmitted diseases, sexual behavior, and drug use; and socioeconomic indicators differed considerably among the risk groups, suggesting different risk factors for acquisition of the syndrome. Patients in the homosexual, intravenous drug user, and Haitian risk groups differed in their serologic response to cytomegalovirus and syphilis testing, presumably due to lifestyle-related exposures. Differences in the rate of recovery of cytomegalovirus, serum levels of IgA and IgG, and antibody titers to Epstein-Barr virus were noted among patients with different diagnoses. We conclude that …

National Case-Control Study Of Kaposi's Sarcoma And Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia In Homosexual Men: Part 1. Epidemiologic Results, Harold W. Jaffe, Keewhan Choi, Pauline A. Thomas, Harry W. Haverkos, David M. Auerbach, Mary E. Guinan, Martha F. Rogers, Thomas J. Spira, William W. Darrow, Mark A. Kramer, Stephen M. Friedman, James M. Monroe, Alvin E. Friedman-Kien, Linda J. Laubenstein, Michael Marmor, Bijan Safai, Selma K. Dritz, Salvatore J. Crispi, Shirley L. Fannin, John P. Orkwis, Alexander Kelter, Wilmon R. Rushing, Stephen B. Thacker, James W. Curran

Public Health Faculty Publications

To identify risk factors for the occurrence of Kaposi's sarcoma and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in homosexual men, we conducted a case-control study in New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. Fifty patients (cases) (39 with Kaposi's sarcoma, 8 with pneumocystis pneumonia, and 3 with both) and 120 matched homosexual male controls (from sexually transmitted disease clinics and private medical practices) participated in the study. The variable most strongly associated with illness was a larger number of male sex partners per year (median, 61 for patients; 27 and 25 for clinic and private practice controls, respectively). Compared with controls, …

Sources Of Nosocomial Infections In Immunocompromised Patients (Letter), B. Burt Gerstman

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Sources Of Nosocomial Infections In Immunocompromised Patients (Letter), B. Burt Gerstman

B. Burt Gerstman

No abstract provided.

Social And Demographic Factors In Perinatal Mortality: A Study Conducted In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, R. Douglass Arbuckle

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

Sero-Epidemiology Of Q Fever With Special Reference To Complications In A Hospital Population Of Southern California, Ajit Singh Randhawa

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

[Abstract Not Included]

Remember When? - Pest House, Wku Public Affairs

WKU Archives Records

Press release regarding the razing of the Guest House which had been used for quarantines during the 1920s and called the Pest House.

Transactions Of The Plague Control Conference Of The United States Public Health Service And Twelve Western States, United States Public Health Service

Elusive Documents

The plague problem is potentially of grave public health importance. The history of this disease over a period of centuries shows that it has several times assumed epidemic proportions, especially in cities. History also shows that when the disease appears in bubonic form contracted from rat fleas, it sooner or later may assume the pneumonic type and be spread from person to person with fatal results.

From the evidence presented to the conference it appears that complete control of plague is not economically feasible without a great increase in Federal, State, and local expenditures. It is recommended that funds are …

Ua3/1/2/1 Correspondence - Jones, Wku President's Office - Cherry

WKU Archives Records

Letter from Mattie McLean to Ollie [Olive] Jones former mathematics teacher at WKU regarding appropriations, construction, former and current teachers at WKU and the diseases of measles, influenza, scarlet fever and smallpox.

Ua3/1/2/1 Correspondence - Bradner, Wku President's Office - Cherry

WKU Archives Records

Letter from Mattie McLean to Mrs. G.W. Bradner regarding her son Raymond's bout with smallpox. The letter describes how students are quarantined in a building on the edge of campus for a period of time prescribed by doctors.

Ua3/1/2/1 Correspondence Re: Smallpox, J. O. Forman, Mattie Mclean

WKU Archives Records

Correspondence between J.O. Forman and Mattie McLean regarding the quarantine of Forman's son Guy in the Pest House during smallpox outbreak at WKU.

Ua3/1/2/2 Correspondence, Henry Cherry, K. L. Varney

WKU Archives Records

Correspondence between Henry Cherry and K.L. Varney regarding a meeting scheduled and rescheduled due to the influenza epidemic. Cherry's letter discusses the conditions in Bowling Green and at Western Kentucky University.

Journal: Harper's Weekly, Article On St. Luke's And Sand Hills Hospital Fever Outbreak, Jacksonville, Florida; September 29, 1888

Print Materials from the Richard Mette Collection

Excerpt and illustration from Harper's Weekly detailing the Yellow Fever outbreak in Jacksonville, Florida. Volume XXXII., No. 1658. Mette #31