AIDS ()
When AIDS was first recognized in 1981, most experts believed that it was a plague, a virulent unexpected disease. They thought AIDS, as a plague, would resemble the great epidemics of the past: it would be devastating but would soon subside, perhaps never to return. By the middle 1980s, however, it became increasingly clear that AIDS was a chronic infection, not a classic plague.
In this follow-up to AIDS: The Burdens of History, editors Elizabeth Fee and Daniel M. Fox present essays that describe how AIDS has come to be regarded as a chronic disease. Representing diverse fields and professions, the twenty-three contributors to this work use historical methods to analyze politics and public policy, human rights issues, and the changing populations with HIV infection. They examine the federal government’s testing of drugs for cancer and HIV, and show how the policy makers’ choice of a specific historical model (chronic disease versus plague) affected their decisions. A powerful photo essay reveals the strengths of women from various backgrounds and lifestyles who are coping with HIV. A sensitive account of the complex relationships of the gay community to AIDS is included. Finally, several contributors provide a sampling of international perspectives on the impact of AIDS in other nations.
Product Details
- Publisher: University of California Press; September 1, 2023
- Language: English
- ISBN: 9780520075696
- ISBN: 9780520912441
Introducing “AIDS: From Plague to Chronic Disease” by Elizabeth Fee. This book takes an in-depth look at the history of AIDS and how it has come to be understood as a chronic disease. Published in September 2023, it offers a unique perspective on the ongoing impact of AIDS.
In the early days of AIDS, it was believed to be a plague, a sudden and devastating disease that would eventually subside. However, as the years passed, it became clear that AIDS was a chronic infection rather than a classic plague. In this follow-up to AIDS: The Burdens of History, Elizabeth Fee and Daniel M. Fox present a collection of essays that delve into the history and understanding of AIDS as a chronic disease.
The book brings together twenty-three contributors from diverse fields and professions to explore the politics, public policy, human rights issues, and changing populations affected by HIV infection. By using historical methods of analysis, the contributors shed light on the federal government’s testing of drugs for cancer and HIV, and how the choice of a specific historical model (chronic disease versus plague) influenced policy decisions.
One of the powerful features of this book is a photo essay that showcases the strengths of women from various backgrounds and lifestyles who are coping with HIV. Their stories humanize the impact of the disease and highlight the resilience and determination of those living with HIV. Additionally, the book includes a sensitive account of the complex relationships between the gay community and AIDS, providing valuable insights into the social and cultural aspects of the disease.
Furthermore, “AIDS: From Plague to Chronic Disease” offers international perspectives on the impact of AIDS in other nations. By including a sampling of these perspectives, the book expands the understanding of the global impact of the disease and the efforts being made to address it.
Published by the University of California Press, this book is a comprehensive and valuable resource for anyone interested in the history and impact of AIDS. It provides a nuanced understanding of how AIDS has come to be regarded as a chronic disease and the implications this has had on policy and public perception.
Order your copy of “AIDS: From Plague to Chronic Disease” today and gain a deeper understanding of the history and ongoing challenges of AIDS. Whether you are a student, researcher, or simply interested in learning more about the subject, this book is sure to be an informative and thought-provoking read.