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The Nucleus of a Public Health Strategy to Combat AIDS

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 April 2021

Larry Gostin
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Extract

Since AIDS was first identified in 1981, 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 combatting AIDS. Consensus around the following policies should form the nucleus of the public health strategy to combat AIDS before the intervention of an effective vaccine or treatment.

Unprotected sexual intercourse and use of contaminated needles are intentional activities. Voluntary changes in behavior to avoid a high risk of transmission is currently the overriding public policy objective. The first line of defense in controlling AIDS, therefore, is to inform and educate individuals about high-risk behavior and about methods of altering behavior to protect against transmission of the infection.

Type
Viewpoint
Information
Law, Medicine and Healthcare , Volume 14 , Issue 5-6 , December 1986 , pp. 226 - 230
Copyright
Copyright © American Society of Law, Medicine and Ethics 1986

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References

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