SYLLABUS
AIDS AS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE
Monday and Wednesday: 3:30-6:30 P.M.
3 credits
May and June 2000
Dr. Douglas A. Feldman
University of Miami School of Medicine
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health
Masters of Public Health
Purpose:
To examine AIDS as a social and public health issue, including , material on HIV-related cultural, social, and psychological factors, political and legal aspects, behavioral and societal change, medical ethics, social epidemiology, co-factors and transmission, and public policy. The course will be global in scope, with particular attention drawn to the United States and sub-Saharan Africa.
Course Schedule:
May 17 - Introduction to AIDS as a social and public health issue. The importance of AIDS. The epidemiology of HIV/AIDS in Florida and the United States.
May 22 - The AIDS crisis. The origin of HIV/AIDS. An epidemic emerges. The shaping of public opinion.
May 24 - The situation in the United States. The global crisis. The epidemic takes its toll. Teenagers. Women. Children. The gay community. Commercial sex workers. The homeless. Persons with hemophilia.
May 29 - No classes. Holiday.
May 31 - Injecting drug users. Correctional facilities. The African pandemic. The growing crisis in Asia. AIDS in Latin America and the Caribbean.
June 5 - China. Latin America. Traditional medicine. Uganda.
June 7 - Ghana. South Africa. Breast feeding. The many faces of AIDS. Psychosocial needs of persons with AIDS. The role of families, partners, and friends of people with AIDS. The role of health care providers and caregivers.
June 12 - Community responses to the crisis. Political apathy. Political activism. Immigration policy. Political economy.
June 14 - Promoting awareness and education. Producing behavioral change. Barebacking. Gay politics. Patient adherence. Risky and less risky sex. Club drugs.
June 19 - AIDS in the workplace. Legal issues. Ethics and AIDS policy. Mandatory reporting. Mandatory testing. Partner notification. The future of AIDS.
June 21 - Final Exam. All Papers Due.
June 23 - Grades due.
Guest speakers will be scheduled as time permits.
Reading Schedule:
May 22-
Douglas A. Feldman and Julia Wang Miller, “Introduction,” in The AIDS Crisis: A Documentary History (TAC) (Eds.: D.A. Feldman and J. Wang Miller); pp. xxv-xxxix, Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1998.
Douglas A. Feldman and Julia Wang Miller, Chapter 1, “The History of HIV/AIDS,” in TAC; pp.1-29.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, “The Evidence that HIV Causes AIDS,” July 1995, pp. 1-12.
“Florida: AIDS-Related Mortalities No Longer Declining,” 1 p., April 27, 2000.
M. Abu Saleh, et al. Lancet (abstract) “Sexual Behaviour in Travelers,” 353 (9152):595, February 13, 1999.
Daniel Q. Haney, “Scientists: AIDS Came From Chimps,” 2 pp., January 31, 1999.
“Origin of AIDS: Researchers Push HIV’s Appearance Back to 1930’s,” 3 pp., January 31, 2000.
May 24 -
Douglas A. Feldman and Julia Wang Miller, Chapter 2, “The Impact of the Epidemic,” in TAC; pp.30-53.
Douglas A. Feldman and Julia Wang Miller, Chapter 3, “HIV/AIDS Within Communities and Populations,” in TAC; pp. 54-116.
May 31 -
Robert G. Carlson, et al., “Ethnography, Epidemiology, and Public Policy: Needle-Use Practices and HIV-1 Risk Reduction Among Injecting Drug Users in the Midwest,” in GAP; pp. 185-214.
Michael C. Clatts, et al., “AIDS Risk Behavior among Drug Injectors in New York City: Critical Gaps in Prevention Policy,” in GAP; pp. 215-235.
“New York: Prison HIV Treatment and Prevention Sorely Lacking,” 1 p., February 18, 1999.
Douglas A. Feldman and Julia Wang Miller, Chapter 4, “AIDS in the Developing World,” in TAC; pp. 117-134.
Douglas A. Feldman, “Introduction,” in Global AIDS Policy (GAP) (ed.: D.A. Feldman); pp. 1-6, Westport, CT: Bergin & Garvey, 1994.
“Global Challenges - World AIDS Day: Countries Issued Grim Statistics,” 2 pp., December 1, 1999.
“Report: Administration Says AIDS Epidemic is Security Threat,” 1 p., April 30, 2000.
June 5-
Vincent E. Gil, “Behind the Wall of China: AIDS Profile, AIDS Policy,” in GAP; pp. 7-27.
Richard G. Parker, “Public Policy, Political Activism, and AIDS in Brazil,” in GAP; pp.28-46.
Pamela Hartigan, “The Response of Nongovernmental Organizations in Latin America to HIV Infection and AIDS: A Vehicle for Grasping the Contribution NGOs Make to Health and Development,” in GAP; pp.47-60.
Rosalind Russell, “Analysis - Catastrophe of AIDS in Africa Still Unfolding,” May 13, 2000, 2 pp.
Roland Msiska, “Care for HIV/AIDS in Africa including Traditional Medicine,” Plenary Presentation at the XI ICASA conference, Lusaka, September 16, 1999, 4 pp.
Charles B. Rwabukwali, et al. “Culture, Sexual Behavior, and Attitudes toward Condom Use among Baganda Women,” in GAP; pp. 70-89.
Cecilia Snyder, “Uganda: Youth Awareness of Risk Does Not Translate into Safe-Sex Behaviors,” 2 pp. March 22, 2000.
June 7 -
Robert W. Porter, “AIDS in Ghana: Priorities and Policies,” in GAP; pp.90-106.
Virginia van der Vliet, “Apartheid and the Politics of AIDS,” in GAP; pp.107-129.
Dana Raphael, “The Politics of International Health: Breastfeeding and HIV,” in GAP; pp.129-141.
Lindsey Tanner, “No Breast Feeding May Cut HIV,” 2 pp., February 29, 2000.
Douglas A. Feldman and Julia Wang Miller, Chapter 5, “The Human Side of AIDS,” in TAC, pp. 135-158.
June 12-
Douglas A. Feldman and Julia Wang Miller, Chapter 6, “The Politics of AIDS,” in TAC, pp. 159-182.
Norris G. Lang, “HIV, Immigration Policy, and Latinos/as: Public Health Safety versus Hidden Agendas,” in GAP, pp. 61-69.
Michael D. Quam, “AIDS Policy and the United State Political Economy,” in GAP, pp. 142-159.
M.E. Melody, “Acting Up Academically: AIDS and the Politics of Disempowerment,” in GAP, pp. 160-184.
June 14 -
Jim Baxter, “Sex Panic: Meet the Monsters,” Pride69@aol.com, 5 pp., March 16, 1998.
Mubarak S. Dahir, “Barebacking is Just Plain Moronic,” The Express, April 17, 2000, p.11.
Eric Rofes, “Gay Men are Neither Dumb nor Self-Destructive,” 4 pp., February 22, 1999.
Douglas A. Feldman and Julia Wang Miller, Chapter 7, “Education and Behavioral Change,” in TAC, pp. 183-200.
“Risky Behavior: Resumes as Powerful HIV Drugs Encourage Complacency,” 2 pp., January 31, 2000.
Nancy Zuckerbrod, “D.C. Salons Offering Free Condoms,” 2 pp., August 21, 1999.
Stephen J. Fallon, “Oral Arguments: Not All Sexual Contact Poses the Same Risk to You,” CenterOne, December 1, 1998, 2 pp.
“Oral Sex: Study Reveals Risks for HIV Transmission,” February 4, 2000, 1 p.
“Female Condom May Not Be Suitable for Anal Sex,” 1 p., November 26, 1999.
Stephen J. Fallon, “Hidden Dangers From Club Drugs,” The Express, April 17, 2000, p.22.
“Patient Adherence to HAART Significantly Impedes Response,” Journal of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (abstract), 1 p., January 18, 2000.
June 19 -
Douglas A. Feldman and Julia Wang Miller, Chapter 8, “Legal and Ethical Issues,” in TAC; pp. 201-233.
“Pennsylvania: HIV Reporting Public Hearings Underway,” 1 p., February 25, 1999.
Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, May 11, 2000, 7 pp.
Douglas A. Feldman, “Conclusion,” in GAP; pp. 236-240.
Douglas A. Feldman and Julia Wang Miller, Chapter 9, “The Future of AIDS,” in TAC; pp. 234-251.
Course Grade:
Regular attendance, promptness, and preparedness is required of all students.
Class participation and preparedness: 30%
Final exam: 35%
Paper: 35%
TOTAL: 100%
Papers must be typed, double-spaced, with 1 inch margins on all sides, paginated, left justified only, on a pre-approved topic relating to AIDS as a public health, epidemiologic, social, cultural, or political issue, between 9-12 pages plus references cited, and carefully checked for spelling and grammar. Papers should have references in the text keyed to the references cited page, using any standardized format.
Required Texts:
Feldman, Douglas A. and Wang Miller, Julia (eds.) (1998)
The AIDS Crisis: A Documentary History. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.
Feldman, Douglas A. (ed.) (1994)
Global AIDS Policy. Westport, CT: Bergin and Garvey.
Office Location:
Dr. Feldman’s office is located at 1425 NW 10th Avenue, Annex 4.
Office hours are by appointment only.
Phone: (305) 243-2577; e-mail: dfeldman@med.miami.edu.