The reversal is being attributed to increased resources devoted to treatment and prevention. In particular, improvements in methods of dealing with AIDS-related infections are credited. The numbers do not significantly reflect the growing use of powerful new drug combinations, including protease inhibitors, which may further extend the lives of AIDS victims.
Certainly AIDS has not been conquered and much remains to be done to fight the disease. Although it is highly significant, the news of progress does not justify complacency.
Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala said, "We're finally seeing deaths go down but it's not good enough. Too many people are still dying and too many people are still getting infected. The new drugs don't work for everyone. We must still focus on prevention."
In fact, the number of people diagnosed with AIDS has continued to grow, although the rate of growth has declined. Between 1994 and 1995, the number of people diagnosed increased 2 percent; in 1993-94, the rate was 5 percent. Moreover, the improvement has not been even. The drop in AIDS deaths was larger among whites than blacks or Latinos. Deaths among women increased 3 percent.
Still, it appears that the tide has turned in this battle. AIDS victims have been given new reason to hope. It remains for society to do what it takes to fulfill that hope and to keep the disease from claiming more victims.
The most that can be said at this point is that by coming to a meeting with South Korea the North has taken a first step toward reconciliation. But much more will be required to achieve a meaningful settlement, and there is no telling whether North Korea is willing to go far enough.
Rupert E. Phillips, CEO
John M. Flanagan, Editor & Publisher
David Shapiro, Managing Editor
Diane Yukihiro Chang, Senior Editor & Editorial Page Editor
Frank Bridgewater & Michael Rovner, Assistant Managing Editors
A.A. Smyser, Contributing Editor