Unit 6: Technology in America

Medical Advancement and the “Computer Generation”

When is it believed that AIDs entered America?

• It is hypothesized that HIV likely entered the United States through a single infected immigrant from Haiti (1969)

When did America address the epidemic?

• In 1981, the CDC identified the mysterious virus as HIV– They indicated that HIV patients were guaranteed

to develop AIDs over time

• America still turned their back on the virus because of the controversy it created

Who started creating awareness around the disease?

• The GLBT community was the first significant community to draw attention to the growing issue

• The AIDs Memorial Quilt 1986

Who started creating awareness around the disease?

• ACT UP: AIDs Coalition To Unleash Power (1987)– Another GLBT driven group; used rallies and

protests to educate America

…their plan worked and in 1987 Reagan finally said AIDs

But…71,176 persons were already diagnosed with AIDS in the US

How did the government attempt to educate Americans?

• Donors and taxes were spent on medical research, support groups and education on the virus

1996 2008

300 million 15.6 billion

How did the government attempt to educate Americans?

• Sex education in schools was reformed in the late 80s– Eventually some students were learning about sex

and disease as early as 3rd grade

What medical advancements have been created to address the virus?

• Antiretroviral therapy: slows down the development of HIV drastically

• As of January 2012, SAV001 has been approved by the FDA to start testing– Researchers are hopeful that this vaccine will

prevent HIV negative people from contracting the virus

Magic Johnson

• In the past year he has tested HIV negative– The virus is not detectable in his body but is most

likely still lingering