Though the U.S. health care system is among the best in the developed world, access to chronic care remains a problem for many, in part, because the system is not ideally suited to treat long-term conditions. Consequently, economic and societal costs associated with chronic disease are rising rapidly. To complement traditional pathogenic chronic…

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in adults is estimated to be at least 1% (Brugha et al., 2011), yet almost all ASD research focuses on children. Adult intervention studies, in particular, are few in number and poor in quality (Bishop-Fitzpatrick, Minshew, & Eack, 2013), and support networks for adults with ASD are much more…

Human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research has sparked incredible scientific and public excitement, as well as significant controversy. hESCs are pluripotent, which means, in theory, that they can be differentiated into any type of cell found in the human body. Thus, they evoke great enthusiasm about potential clinical applications. They are…

The francophone world has always been at the center of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. From the mythical (French Canadian) "patient zero," Gaetan Dugas, to Rock Hudson's flight to Paris for medical treatment and the blaming of Haiti for AIDS, as well as the close relationships between Belgian and French and their former African colonies,…

President Barack Obama has proposed an end to abstinence-only-until-marriage funding as Americans have known it for the better part of the last decade. This marks a significant change in direction, one that finally brings science and evidence back into government policy. His leadership on this new direction will be essential in the coming…

International science policy controversies involve disputes over cultural differences in the assessment of knowledge claims and competing visions of the policy-making process between different nations. This essay analyzes these dynamics in the recent controversy surrounding AIDS policy in South Africa. It develops the notion of an epistemological…

A model school policy provides guidelines for Iowa school systems with regard to students with AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), herpes simplex, and cytomegalovirus. The AIDS guidelines include the following: (1) Routine screening students for AIDS associated virus is not recommended. (2) Children infected with the AIDS associated virus,…

Compares the 1929-32 Venereal Disease Control Demonstration Project conducted among Southern Blacks with the 1932 Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment. Asserts that while the latter involved unethical research activities, the former fell outside the realm of research ethics, because it exploited human subjects for political gain. (Author/MJL)

Contains excerpts from a special study on the AIDS epidemic by the Institute of Medicine and National Academy of Sciences. Presents an overview of the problem, outlines educational needs and public health measures, and identifies future research needs. (ML)

Claims that the United States' inadequate response to the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) crisis was more related to structural problems in the country's health system than with politics and social mores. (TW)

Excerpts from a paper on policies affecting chronically ill children touch upon such issues as the epidemiology of chronic childhood illness, organization of health services, costs of care, and financing of care. Principles underlying public policy are suggested, and issues for change in existing services are examined. (CL)

Discusses failure of education programs to affect spread of AIDS by intravenous drug users in inner cities. Suggests following policy responses: confidential, identity-linked reporting of HIV test results; programs to alert the sexual partners of HIV-positive persons; elimination of barriers to HIV testing; routine offering of HIV testing; and…

This paper focuses on new developments in medicine and in the courts that may have crucial implications for existing policies related to the educational placement of the HIV-infected student. Salient medical and legal aspects related to the educational placement and school attendance of HIV-infected children are reviewed. Recommendations for…

This document contains the texts of 10 panel discussions presented at a seminar designed to give the media an opportunity to learn about occupational health problems. Discussed first were protecting the American worker, and disease on the job. Personal testimony on worker health and a case study of the effects of asbestos were presented. Also…

The decision-making process in treatment questions for seriously ill and handicapped neonates must focus on the best interests of the individual infant and maintain the responsibility for pursuing that interest within the parent-physician relationship. This goal is best served by mandating the development of policies for decision making and…