N.Z. Coping Well —A.I.D.S. Author (Press, 19 May 1986)
This is a Generative AI summary of this newspaper article. It may contain errors or omissions. Please note that the language in the summary is reflective of the original article and the societal attitudes of the time in which it was written.
Summary: N.Z. Coping Well —A.I.D.S. Author (Press, 19 May 1986)
On 19 May 1986, Dennis Altman, an Australian author renowned for his work on A.I.D.S., expressed confidence in New Zealand's management of the A.I.D.S. crisis. In his book "A.I.D.S. and the New Puritanism," Altman compared the response to A.I.D.S. in various regions, criticising how it has been handled in parts of the United States. He commended New Zealand for its approach, attributing the nation's success to the belief in government-provided basic health care. Altman praised the New Zealand Government, stating it is one of the best globally, and highlighted the Minister's recognition of the importance of counselling, education, and treatment for addressing the disease. He noted the cooperative efforts between the Government and the A.I.D.S. Foundation, which he believed were effective in preventing a rapid spread of the epidemic within the country. However, Altman identified a significant challenge: the intertwining of the fight against A.I.D.S. with the discussion around homosexual law reform. This connection, he argued, had led to some distressing statements from political figures, complicating rational discourse on the disease. While Australians often view New Zealand positively, Altman expressed dismay at certain comments made by opponents of the reform bill, which seemed to suggest that some individuals were indifferent to the suffering of homosexual men. He pointed out that the majority of A.I.D.S. cases worldwide did not involve homosexual men. Altman remarked on the irrational fears and panic surrounding A.I.D.S., acknowledging that while fear of disease is natural, it often disregards the advice of medical professionals who confirm that most people are not at risk. His insights underscore the importance of focusing on informed discussions and support in tackling the A.I.D.S. epidemic, rather than allowing stigma and fear to overshadow rationality and compassion.
Important Information
The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact
The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand