Educational Media Reviews Online

At the start of the AIDS epidemic most people saw it as a disease that only affected gay males and later those in Africa. As a result society ignored a disease they thought was a threat only to those with alternative life styles and deviant sexual practices. Then as the epidemic spread into other communities the rest of the world began to take notice and suddenly AIDS was a threat to all not just those outside of the mainstream. This film looks at the history of AIDS and how the view of the majority impacted treatment for those groups initially infected with the disease. Seen primarily through the eyes of two activists, one gay and one from Uganda, viewers can see how changes took place in how people viewed AIDS. At first the gay activist talks about how he and his partner who died of AIDS couldn't get into restaurants. He talks of how people lost jobs and homes and how they reached into their pockets to help, until more and more of their friends died. The African activist talks about the death of her husband from AIDS and takes us to a cemetery where many more of her family members are buried. She is one of the founding members of TASO, a group that worked to educate people about AIDS. Viewers are shown ads from around the world about AIDS prevention and shown activities in Africa where people are shown how to use condoms and how to protect themselves.

As AIDS continued to spread doctors created viral inhibitors that didn't cure the disease but did slow its spread. This was a terrific breakthrough but a breakthrough that was limited to those who could afford the treatment. The final part of the film looks at the problem of getting the viral inhibitors to the third world countries where AIDS is the greatest problem. The African activists shows the family members she still has that are dealing with AIDS and the orphans that she must now raise. She asks how she can get the drugs and still make sure that the family has food and a place to live. Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary General is shown speaking to the World Health Organization, demanding help for the third world countries dealing with AIDS. Funds are made available but the decisions on how to use these funds are bogged down in debates on whether or not to use them for treatment or prevention or whether or not to treat those that are gay or have alternative lifestyles. All express frustration that though the UN states that AIDS is a security risk, funding to help in treating the disease is trapped because of political debate.

This video is a fascinating study of a disease and how it is being treated. Viewers will be shocked to hear that a disease that many believe is being cured still kills 6,000 people a day. They will also be amazed to see that decisions on how to spend the money available to help the third world is bogged down in with discussions on dealing with those groups that were the first to get the disease. This video will be an excellent addition for libraries with collections on health science, bioethics and political action.