$Unique_ID{BRK00921}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Isn't There Political Pressure on Government to Spend Money for AIDS?}
$Subject{AIDS statistics HIV Community Social virus viral infection Infections
blood educational efforts human immunodeficiency acquired immune deficiency
syndrome}
$Volume{Q-0, A-7}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Isn't There Political Pressure on Government to Spend Money for AIDS?


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION:  A recent article in my local paper showed that the numbers of
people infected with AIDS was much less than predicted.  Doesn't this prove
that there was a lot of political pressure put on the government to spend
money for AIDS, when the problem wasn't that great?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANSWER:  I believe you are referring to the recent report by the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control which stated that between 800,000 and 1.3 million
Americans are infected with the HIV virus, about 15 percent under previous
predictions.  And I believe I catch your drift, implying that the previous
reports might have been exaggerated to obtain additional attention to the
needs of these patients.  First let me state that one of the glories of this
country is the ability of any group of individuals with a cause to influence
the government to respond to their perceived needs.  "Political pressure" as
you put it, or "political action" as I call it, is a big plus in the way we
run our society.  As to the statistics, I do not believe there ever was any
fudging in the calculations of the old numbers.  To me, the new figures
represent a victory of the educational efforts put forth by the Government,
the medical profession, and the many groups organized to get out the message.
But I still worry about the number of cases that may go unreported, of the
number of individuals who may be infected and still are unaware, and the fact
that we still have no effective cure for the disease.  The diagnosis of AIDS
continues to represent a death sentence for many, and the need for research is
still with us.  I can't in good conscience write off a million Americans who
already are infected and a part of the quoted statistic.  The problem remains
with us and is one of considerable importance, meriting research, study and
continuing actions.  And if this response isn't up to my usual scientific
approach, then just chalk this answer up to "one man's opinion".

----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.