Current status of AIDS. An overview of statistics, reporting, and at-risk populations.
The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was first described in 1981. It is estimated that there have now been more than 250,000 cases worldwide, with more than 69,000 in the United States. Probably there are between 5 and 10 million people infected with the causative organism--the human immunodeficiency virus--globally. Current theory holds that the great majority of these infected persons will eventually develop AIDS. Education of high-risk populations, including minorities, is vital since there is no cure and no vaccine at present. Apart from the medical problems of AIDS, there are multitudes of legal, economic, social, philosophic, and theologic problems that the medical practitioner would be well advised to be aware of. AIDS is a threat to society as a whole. In view of current trends, the populations giving most concern for the future are intravenous drug abusers and heterosexually active teenagers and young adults.
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003625:Data Collection; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States