This collection is a serious attempt to explore the relationship between cultural content and the form AIDS takes in different cultural settings. Written mostly by anthropologists, these essays examine different cultural areas and AIDS: central Africa (Rwanda), New York City, Houston, and London. In addition, articles address topics such as stigmatization of AIDS victims by the press; language and AIDS; class variations in the delivery of social services as experienced by gay and bisexual men in New York City; and homophobia and AIDS. The volume is a valuable addition to the social-anthropological literature on AIDS and should be useful to professionals and for graduate and advanced undergraduate courses dealing with sociocultural aspects of AIDS. "Choice"

AIDS has become a pandemic with major implications for the future vitality of humankind, according to this powerful new book compiled by the editor of the widely acclaimed The Social Dimensions of AIDS. As a cultural phenomenon the social patterning of AIDS can be explained and its direction largely predicted. Culture and AIDS is written almost entirely by anthropologists and represents the interest of dozens of anthropologists and represents the anthropologists' interest in AIDS related research and activities. Thirteen essays explore the social and cultural context of AIDS related behavior and clarify key domains in AIDS and the social sciences. This volume seeks to broaden its readers' understanding of how AIDS is changing our lives as it redirects human experience.

"Culture and AIDS" is not intended as an introduction to AIDS. It looks at AIDS as a cultural phenomenon. It includes an introduction and postscript by its editor, Douglas A Feldman. Eleven essays explore: AIDS in Rwanda (Central Africa); A Haitian village handling AIDS; possible cofactors in HIV transmission; social service needs of gay men with AIDS in NYC; psychological factors influencing adjustment among HIV-infected gay men in Houston; social behavior of female prostitutes in London; social effects of AIDS on minority women; AIDS-related stigma in the press; language and AIDS; and other AIDS related areas.

An estimated 17 million people are infected with HIV today, and it is estimated that in Africa alone there will be at least 70 million people infected in the next 25 years. This global pandemic has already had a profound impact economically and socially in terms of expensive research, care centers, and immeasurable loss of many of the world's most talented people. Sexual relations, health care of non-infected individuals, family relations, and other social institutions have been significantly marked by this elusive and to date life-threatening phenomenon. Topics range from breastfeeding to condom use, from apathetic governments to immigration policy. Dr. Feldman and his contributors evaluate various policies that have been proposed or adopted on four continents and provide a needed perspective on planetary problems.

A collection of original papers on the nature of AIDS social research, this volume brings together anthropologists, sociologists, psychologists, and public health researchers to consider the methodological, empirical, and conceptual aspects of the problem. Unlike other studies, which focus on the medical and epidemiological aspects of AIDS, this study specifically focuses on the social aspects of the disease, the response of the community and medical profession, and the effects of the epidemic upon the gay subculture. Consideration is given to methodological shortcomings in the research on the social aspects of AIDS as well as reports of original research.

AIDS has grown in just two decades from a rare disease to one that has already killed millions of men, women, and children worldwide. To help high school and college students understand the history and current status of AIDS as a social, political, psychological, public health, and cultural phenomenon, this documentary history provides 228 short and highly readable selections from primary and secondary sources of information about AIDS and HIV. Its scope covers the entire history of the epidemic from its beginnings to early 1997. The documents, many of which cannot easily be found elsewhere, will help the reader to understand and debate the many perspectives and points of view on this controversial topic.

Douglas A. Feldman, one of the country's leading specialists in international and domestic AIDS social research, and Julia Wang Miller, a research consultant, have selected documents and provided explanatory introductions to them to help readers gain a deeper understanding of the sociocultural ramifications of AIDS. Following a narrative historical overview of the AIDS crisis, the work is organized into nine topical chapters: the history of HIV/AIDS; the impact of the epidemic in the United States and globally; HIV/AIDS within communities and populations; AIDS in the developing world; the human side of AIDS; the politics of AIDS; education and behavioral change; legal and ethical issues; and the future of AIDS. Each chapter contains an introductory narrative overview of the topic, brief explanatory introduction to each document, and list of suggested readings. A glossary of terms and an AIDS resource directory of organizations to contact for further information complete the work. This important documentary history belongs on the shelves of every public school and college and university library.