AIDS and Contemporary History (Cambridge Studies in the History of Medicine)

The advent of AIDS has led to a revival of interest in the historical relationship of disease to society. There now exists a new consciousness of AIDS and history, and of AIDS itself as an historic event. This provides the starting-point of this collection of essays. Its twin themes are the 'pre-history' of the impact of AIDS, and its subsequent history. Essays in the section on the 'pre-history' of AIDS analyse the contexts against which AIDS should be measured. The section on AIDS as history presents chapters by historians and policy scientists on such topics as British and US drugs policy, the later years of AIDS policies in the UK and the emergence of AIDS as a political issue in France. A final chapter looks at the archival potential in the AIDS area. As a whole the volume demonstrates the contribution that historians can make in the analysis of near-contemporary events. The Advent Of Aids Has Led To A Revival Of Interest In The Historical Relationship Of Disease To Society. Now, After Ten Years, There Is A New Consciousness Of Aids And History, And Of Aids Itself As An Historic Event. This Is The Starting-point Of This New Collection Of Essays. Its Twin Themes Are The 'pre-history' Of The Impact Of Aids, And Its Subsequent History. The Section On The 'pre-history' Of Aids Includes Articles Which Analyse The Contexts Against Which Aids Should Be Measured. The Second Section - On Aids As History - Presents Chapters By Historians And Policy Scientists On Such Topics As British And Us Drugs Policy, The Later Years Of Aids Policies In The Uk And The Development Of Aids As A Political Issue In France. A Final Chapter Looks At The Archival Potential In The Aids Area. As A Whole The Volume Demonstrates The Contribution Which Historians Can Make In The Analysis Of Near-contemporary Events. Introduction : Aids And Contemporary History / Virginia Berridge -- Aids And The Regulation Of Sexuality / Jeffrey Weeks -- Public Health Doctors And Aids As A Public Health Issue / Jane Lewis -- Politics And Policy : Historical Perspectives On Screening / Bridget Towers -- Testing For A Sexually Transmissible Disease, 1907-1970 : The History Of The Wassermann Reaction / Ilana Löwy -- The Politics Of International Co-ordination To Combat Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 1900-1980s / Paul Weindling -- Hepatitis B As A Model (and Anti-model) For Aids / William Muraskin -- Aids And British Drug Policy : Continuity Or Change? / Virginia Berridge -- The New York Needle Trial : The Politics Of Public Health In The Age Of Aids / Warwick Anderson -- Context For A New Disease : Aspects Of Biomedical Research Policy In The United States Before Aids / Victoria A. Harden And Dennis Rodrigues. The Nhs Responds To Hiv/aids / Ewan Ferlie -- A Fall In Interest? : British Aids Policy, 1986-1990 / John Street -- Aids Policies In France / Monika Steffen -- Appendix : Aids : The Archive Potential / Janet Foster. Edited By Virginia Berridge And Philip Strong. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.

a Collection Of Essays On The 'pre-history' Of The Impact Of Aids, And Its Subsequent History.