The Changing Perception of AIDS

Steve Scher
06/09/2003 at 10:00 a.m.

The rate of infection for HIV is up dramatically in Seattle and King County, according to a recent study. This comes after many years and millions of dollars fighting HIV and AIDS.

Some have speculated that recent prevention and anti-discrimination measures have actually glamorized HIV. According to a recent documentary, some gay men are intentionally acquiring HIV and knowingly spreading it to others. Medical progress has made HIV seem less like a death sentence and more like a chronic, yet manageable, condition. Why are the numbers climbing and what is being done to fight the spread?

Guests:
Dr. Hunter Handsfield, STD Program Director for King County Public Health
Fred Swanson, Executive Director of Gay City Health Project
Louise Hogarth, Director of The Gift