Noble G R
Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA 30333.
Public Health Rep. 1991 Nov-Dec;106(6):608-15.
Since acquired immunodeficiency virus (AIDS) was first identified in 1981, it has become one of the leading causes of death in men and women 25-44 years of age in the United States. The urgent public health response to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and AIDS epidemic has required the development of new prevention programs; these efforts have significantly strengthened the public health system itself. A major part of CDC's mission is to prevent HIV infection and reduce the incidence of HIV-associated illness. In fighting HIV infection and AIDS, as in all successful public health programs, CDC has four important goals: (a) to assess risks, (b) to develop prevention technologies, (c) to build prevention capacities, and (d) to implement prevention programs. The urgency of the need to prevent HIV infection and AIDS has in many instances added impetus or substance to programs already under way, as well as prompting the development of new initiatives to meet the four goals. Examples of ways in which the public health system has benefited from HIV-related programs and activities are detailed in this article. Although the HIV epidemic has created significant stresses in many areas of public health and medical services, the experience gained in dealing with this epidemic will strengthen the nation's response to other health crises that arise. Despite the huge challenges, lessons learned thus far provide direction and hope for the future.
自1981年首次发现获得性免疫缺陷病毒（艾滋病）以来，它已成为美国25至44岁男性和女性的主要死因之一。针对人类免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）和艾滋病疫情的紧急公共卫生应对措施要求制定新的预防计划；这些努力显著加强了公共卫生系统本身。美国疾病控制与预防中心（CDC）的一项主要任务是预防HIV感染并降低与HIV相关疾病的发病率。在抗击HIV感染和艾滋病方面，如同所有成功的公共卫生计划一样，CDC有四个重要目标：（a）评估风险，（b）开发预防技术，（c）建立预防能力，以及（d）实施预防计划。预防HIV感染和艾滋病的紧迫性在许多情况下为已在实施的计划增添了动力或实质内容，同时也促使开发新的举措以实现这四个目标。本文详细介绍了公共卫生系统从与HIV相关的计划和活动中受益的方式。尽管HIV疫情在公共卫生和医疗服务的许多领域造成了巨大压力，但应对这一疫情所获得的经验将加强国家对其他出现的健康危机的应对能力。尽管面临巨大挑战，但迄今为止吸取的经验教训为未来提供了方向和希望。
