{"id":22989,"date":"2022-01-07T11:00:15","date_gmt":"2022-01-07T16:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/circulatingnow.nlm.nih.gov\/?p=22989"},"modified":"2024-12-19T11:05:46","modified_gmt":"2024-12-19T16:05:46","slug":"the-national-commission-on-aids-1989-1993","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/circulatingnow.nlm.nih.gov\/2022\/01\/07\/the-national-commission-on-aids-1989-1993\/","title":{"rendered":"The National Commission on AIDS, 1989\u20131993"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Susan L. Speaker ~<\/em><\/p>\n

The National Library of Medicine recently launched a new Profiles in Science<\/em><\/a> site! Unlike most of our earlier Profiles, which feature the careers of individual biomedical scientists, epidemiologists, and public health advocates, the new site<\/a> explores the term of an organization, the National Commission on AIDS (NCAIDS)<\/a>, which operated from 1989 to 1993. The launch of the site coincides with the 40th anniversary of the first reported AIDS cases.<\/p>\n

The NCAIDS was an independent commission created by the U.S. Congress in November 1988. Its 15 members, led by Dr. June E. Osborn<\/a>, began work in August 1989, as the AIDS epidemic entered its ninth year. Its mission was to conduct investigations that would:<\/p>\n

\u201c…create a broad public agreement on the magnitude, scope and urgency of the HIV\/AIDS epidemic, inspire leadership at all levels of both the public and private sector, and put in place effective, cooperative, and non-discriminatory systems and resources required for preventive education, comprehensive care, and the research effort necessary to halt the epidemic.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Materials in the June E. Osborn Papers<\/a> and the National Commission on AIDS Records<\/a> document the commission\u2019s journey through records of hearings, news conferences, correspondence, media coverage, and thirteen interim and three annual reports. The new Profiles<\/em> site, integrated with NLM Digital Collections<\/a>, presents a curated selection of these digitized materials together with a narrative “Story” that provides historical context, a chronology<\/a> of the work of the National Commission on AIDS, and a link to further resources<\/a> to learn even more.<\/p>\n

The NCAIDS materials reveal a talented, thoughtful, passionate, and empathetic group of people, working to gather and distill a vast amount of information about a public health crisis, and hammering out conclusions and recommendations on the controversial issues embodied by the AIDS epidemic. In their hearings and site visits, the commissioners explored the many facets of the HIV\/AIDS epidemic\u2014inadequate healthcare and social services, homelessness, drug addiction, legal issues such as discrimination and confidentiality, and political leadership\u2014through the testimony of public health workers and experts, but also of people with AIDS and their families. The NCAIDS reports and media statements kept the human tragedy of AIDS in full view; they were bluntly critical of America\u2019s lackluster response to the AIDS crisis, and at times crackled with outrage.<\/p>\n

The commission\u2019s effectiveness came in part from its diversity. The NCAIDS included experienced medical and public health experts, all of whom had been involved with AIDS policy and care delivery:<\/p>\n