       Document 0589
 DOCN  M9460589
 TI    AIDS in the public eye: is the epidemic viewed as a crisis?
 DT    9404
 AU    Gerbert B; Bleecker T; Division of Behavioral Sciences, School of
       Dentistry, University; of California, San Francisco 94105.
 SO    J Community Health. 1993 Dec;18(6):335-46. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/94165241
 AB    To determine public opinion about the importance of AIDS as a social and
       policy issue, we conducted a telephone survey of a nationwide random
       probability sample of adults in the United States, summer 1991. Thirteen
       hundred and fifty adults completed the survey. The response rate was
       63%. We found that 93% of respondents believe that AIDS is a crisis, and
       90% believe that AIDS in the US is out of control. In addition, most
       people reported believing that the government should spend as much as
       necessary to solve the AIDS epidemic and that AIDS is a problem for
       everyone in society, not just those who have the disease. Respondents
       who had a personal connection to the AIDS epidemic (e.g., knew someone
       infected with HIV) and those who did not have such a connection equally
       believe that AIDS is an important social and political issue. In
       conclusion, we found that AIDS is being accorded great importance by the
       majority of the US public, regardless of demographic group membership
       and individual personal connection to the epidemic. However, AIDS
       scientists must be mindful of potential shifts in public opinion when
       considering strategies to disseminate research findings.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/ECONOMICS/*EPIDEMIOLOGY  Adult  Aged
       Aged, 80 and over  *Attitude to Health  *Disease Outbreaks/ECONOMICS
       Female  Health Surveys  Human  Male  Middle Age  *Public Opinion  Social
       Perception  Social Problems  Support, Non-U.S. Gov't  Support, U.S.
       Gov't, P.H.S.  United States/EPIDEMIOLOGY  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

