by Joanathan Engel
Copyright (c) 2006.
Although this book is a little over a decade old, most of its history is still relevant to the equation when one speaks of HIV/AIDS. The history of the male-homosexual community combined with the history of IV-drug-user community combined with Asian/African transmissions is still locked in many of the same patterns that were present in 2006. Engel does a strong job of telling their stories and in so doing, telling the story of one of the worst plagues in recent history.
The saddest thing about AIDS is that it preys upon some of our outcast peoples: IV drug users, male homosexuals, prostitutes, sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia. Perhaps it is our fault for casting them out, but these populations doo not need additional stigma to be heaped upon them. But stigma, HIV/AIDS brought on.
This book highlights the simple fact that transmission of HIV is simple: One only needs to be part of an at-risk group, like someone who shares needles, engages in sex with many sexual partners, or engages in anal sex. Preventing the transmission of HIV is as simple as stopping those practices or using techniques to sanitize them.
It is sad that Reagan did not slow or stamp out the disease in the earliest years as this book well attests. HIV eradication is a long way away, but at least HAART treatment covers much of the infected, at least in the Western world. Africa and Asia still suffer from not being able to afford HAART treatment.
If you care about the outcast and those not in the center of society, this book is for you.