[Entirely normal? Development of the public health policy phenomenon AIDS]

An emancipatory strategy of AIDS prevention is shown to be practical. Risks and limits of such an approach are analysed. Special attention is given to the danger that AIDS-related problems may in the long run be handled only as a technical administration process returning to the principle of blaming the victim. The Federal Government's decision in February 1991 to terminate all further support of specise government programmes on AIDS prevention might have disastrous consequences. A more rational AIDS debate should concentrate on continuous efforts to stabilize and further improve the existing social network. Established programmes should be developed further. Results and knowledge of AIDS programmes might be very useful to promote and encourage other parts of public health service. Preventive efforts to influence and change attitudes and practices should always be supplementary to improving the social environment of people at risk. Improvement of general and individual health includes changing of living and working conditions promoting health hazards.