AIDS epidemic has been a public health concern over the last 50 years. The Aids cases have been rising since 1982 when it was termed as an epidemic due to increased number of cases. Initially, AIDS was thought to be rare cancer that presented among the homosexuals in 1981 (Altman, 1981). People found with the disease presented low immunity with high susceptibility to other infections mainly pneumonia. Also, the AIDS was common in gay men who practiced sexual intercourse with multiple partners. The disease also spread among the drug users especially those using intravenous drugs. After that, the cases of women also using intravenous drugs were reported contracting the disease.
In 1983, the public started to panic as most cases of AIDS in Jersey were rising with family members suffering from AIDS. The family members with frequent contact with AIDS patient also got the disease. The report scared people as AIDS was a fatal disease and people did not want to take a chance to contract the disease. People in San Francisco mainly the police demanded gloves and masks when handling gay population suffering from AIDS with fear of contracting. Also, blood screening was thoroughly done before carrying out blood transfusion in hospitals. People thought it was a punishment from God that people suffered from the fatal disease AIDS. With increased research in 1984 scientific research showed that the virus behind AIDs was human immunodeficiency virus and scientist thought the vaccine would be available in five years' time which was not the case (Altman, 1981).
More than thirty years ago since the report of AIDS was published, reports show no cure have been found. By the end of 2012, in the United States, 1.2 million people have been diagnosed with AIDS and 658,504 people have died from the disease (Prevention, 2015). Also, estimates of about 1.2 million people are living with AIDS (Prevention, 2015). The disease has continued to increase despite the prevention measures and campaigns put in place. Since 1982 up to date there has been no vaccine discovered to cure the disease. It is anticipated that the disease will continue to increase if no measures put in place to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS. The politics of AIDS epidemic in the United States will continue to affect the health of the community if the government fails to act.
References
Altman, L. (1981, August 29). "Rare Cancer Seen in 41 Homosexuals,". The New York Times.
Prevention, U. S. (2015, September 4). "HIV in the United States: At a Glance."Center For Disease Control.
