Contact: Carmen Ramos Chandler ,
(818) 677-2130
carmen.chandler@csun.edu

New Study Indicates that as the Face of AIDS Changes,
So Does Public Attention to the Disease

Stella Theodoulou, chair of Northridge's Political Science Department, took a look at the trends and patterns of AIDS incidence in Los Angeles County 1982 through 1997 and compared them with national data. What she found is there seems to be a misconception in the public and with policy makers that the disease is on the decline.

"Generally, we're hearing that there is a decline in the number of new AIDS cases in this country," Theodoulou said. "But I think it's too early to be optimistic. For certain segments of society - African Americans, Hispanics and women - the rates are actually increasing dramatically. What that really means is that we are a long way from saying there is no longer an epidemic."

Theodoulou, whose research focuses on AIDS, said that the news media treating the disease as if it were "old news."

"This creates the impression that the epidemic is on the way to being contained, sending false signal to policy makers that it is okay to take AIDS and HIV of the public agenda," she said.

"I think that is really dangerous because AIDS and HIV are increasing in those groups which are marginalized - poor, non-white America," she said. "For a long time, policy makers felt comfortable in ignoring it; it was a disease of gays. But when it was proven that it was an equal opportunity disease, then they had to deal with it. But now that the transmission of the disease has stabilized in the general Caucasian population, they are ignoring it again."

Theodoulou will discuss her findings at a reception in honor of the report's release on Thursday, March 17, from 1 to 2 p.m. in the CSUN University Club on the southeast corner of the campus at Nordhoff Street and Zelzah Avenue.

Her report is part of the Center for Southern California Studies' Working Paper Series, which explores critical issues facing the region, with a special concern for providing meaningful analysis on policy questions.

Using Southern California as a live laboratory, the Center works to collect, analyze and distribute information about political, social, historical and ecological change. CSCS's multi-disciplinary approach harnesses the strengths of the several social and behavioral sciences, and works to build partnerships with community organization, universities and governmental agencies across the region.

For more information about the Center or to get a copy of the report, call (818) 677-6518.