This comprehensive introduction to the problem of AIDS lays out the medical facts and social epidemiology of the disease and illuminates the complex social problems this disease poses for the United States and other nations. Each chapter introduces a key sociological approach that clarifies how social scientists understand and explain important social dimensions of the AIDS epidemic. The authors use of historical comparisons with other deadly epidemics sets in relief the social problems presented by AIDS today. AIDS has become the most vexing medical crisis of our time. But the social aspects...

Statistics published by the U. S. Department of Commerce (1980) indicate that in 1977 we spent 8. 1% of our gross national product (GNP) on life, health, property-casualty, and other forms of insurance. An additional 5. 7% was used to pay the Social Security tax, which is another form of insurance premium, for a total of 14. 8% of the GNP. Although insurance had its historical origin in marine insurance, it has now developed into one of the major industries of the American economy and extends into many areas of economic activity. One area where growth has been particularly strong is the...

Statistics published by the U. S. Department of Commerce (1980) indicate that in 1977 we spent 8. 1% of our gross national product (GNP) on life, health, property-casualty, and other forms of insurance. An additional 5. 7% was used to pay the Social Security tax, which is another form of insurance premium, for a total of 14. 8% of the GNP. Although insurance had its historical origin in marine insurance, it has now developed into one of the major industries of the American economy and extends into many areas of economic activity. One area where growth has been particularly strong is the...