Harrison, E. AIDS is #1 Killer of Young Americans. (1994, December 2). Los Angeles Times, p. A8.

AIDS is the leading cause of death among Americans between the ages of 25 and 44, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). In the U.S., 400,000 have contracted AIDS since 1981, and 250,000 people have died from it. Victims have typically been intravenous drug users and their sexual partners. In December, 1984, three-fourths of AIDS cases were men who have sex with men. In 1994, this group comprises only barely over half of all cases, which shows that the epidemic is changing.

AIDS is the leading cause of death among men in the 25-44 age group and the fourth leading cause in women in that age group. For young African-American women, who represent 82% of American women with AIDS, it is the leading cause of death.

From 1985 to 1993, the proportion of people with the AIDS virus acquired through heterosexual transmission increased from 2% to 7%.

The CDC has helped companies establish education programs and AIDS policies for the last two years, making the case that for most employers the cost of implementing a comprehensive education program would be less than the medical cost of treating a single person infected with HIV. "Since no vaccine is available, education remains one of our few tools to fight this epidemic," said William H. Baumhauer, chairman and chief executive of DAKA International, a food service management company.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. How is the statistical profile of AIDS changing?
2. What types of education programs do you think are most effective in getting the word out about those at highest risk of contracting AIDS?
3. What does the shift in demographics and statistics indicate about the attitudes of Americans toward the disease? How should this change our strategies?

IMPLICATIONS

1. Originally, the AIDS epidemic struck fear in the homosexual communities. Slowly it has become something that many other young people fear. Still, there is a spirit of invincibility in most adolescents.
2. Lifestyles should not be generated out of negative fear but positive motivations for a good life. Health, wholeness, love, and commitment must be part of successful AIDS curricula.