In 1981, a new infectious disease, AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, was identified in the US. Several years later, the causative agent of AIDS—human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)—was discovered. This discovery coincided with the growing recognition of AIDS in the US as part of a global infectious disease pandemic.

Currently, HIV/AIDS has been reported in virtually every racial and ethnic population, every age group, and every socioeconomic group in every state and most large cities in the US. HIV/AIDS remains a significant cause of illness, disability, and death in the US, despite declines in 1996 and 1997. (US DHHS, 2000).

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