AIDS update.

Abstract

AIDS continues to be a major health threat. Yet, life style changes and use of preventive measures have proved effective in dramatically slowing the spread of HIV in at least one group. Society's challenge is to find ways to make these benefits available to others--IV drug users, minority populations, and a new group, college students--both for humane reasons and because society must protect itself from deadly communicable diseases. Hospitals must find ways to provide efficacious, episodic treatment for acute phases of the illness and to assist organizations providing alternative sources of care. Financing this care will remain problematic for all providers. Caring for PWAs while protecting staff remains a major ethical and legal challenge and one in which managers must play a significant role.