AIDS in historical perspective: four lessons from the history of sexually transmitted diseases.

Four lessons from the social history of sexually transmitted disease the U. S. are assessed for their relevance to the current AIDS epidemic: of disease will powerfully influence medical approaches and public health, education will not control the AIDS epidemic, compulsory public health will not control the epidemic, and the development of effective and vaccines will not immediately or easily end the AIDS epidemic. are complex bio-ecological problems that may be mitigated only by a range of scientific, social, and political considerations; no intervention will address the complexities of the AIDS epidemic. (KIE)