A.I.D.S. Information (Press, 23 May 1986)

On 23 May 1986, a letter addressed to the editor by Ross R. Bailey responded to claims made by Dennis Altman, an Australian author, regarding the demographics of A.I.D.S. sufferers globally. Altman suggested that most A.I.D.S. patients were not homosexual. However, Bailey countered this assertion with data specific to Australia, highlighting that as of 29 April 1986, the National Health and Medical Research Unit reported 203 cases of A.I.D.S. in the country. Of these cases, a staggering 195, which accounted for 96 per cent, were males, and 139 of those cases (69 per cent) originated from New South Wales. Bailey noted that 99 patients (49 per cent) had already died from the disease. He pointed out that the data did not support Altman's claims about the risk factors. Specifically, Bailey indicated that out of the total cases, 178 (88 per cent) were homosexual or bisexual men, and only a small number of cases were linked to other potential risk factors. Just two individuals were recorded as intravenous drug users, and no patients were categorised solely as such. Bailey also detailed that among the remaining patients, 19 were recipients of infected blood transfusions, three had haemophilia, and one patient had no identifiable risk factor. His letter aimed to challenge the accuracy of Altman's statements and present a clearer picture of the A.I.D.S. situation in Australia, reinforcing the predominant association with homosexual or bisexual men during that period.

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