AIDS prevention--a strategy

Even if we could prevent more infections with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) today, we know from the numbers of "well" seropositive people in the world that a sharp rise in the number of AIDS patients and deaths is inevitable in the coming years. This article describes how one London Health Region (population 3.5 million) intends to prevent the further spread of the disease. It includes guidance to health authorities on where to care for people who need hospital treatment, the role of out-patient services, the need for screening and means of developing better care outside hospital. It examines the implications for haemophiliacs and for intravenous drug users and highlights the importance of sound, effective health education for health service staff and for the population as a whole.