Subject: AIDS Epidemic Is Slowly Ending
Date: Published: 1/22/92 (30 lines)
Source: Wall Street Journal. Copyright Dow Jones & Co. Inc.

    Letters to the Editor:
    AIDS Epidemic
    Is Slowly Ending

    John H. Bunzel's Dec. 17 editorial-page article, "AIDS
 Risks in Black and White," appears accurate in many respects
 concerning the spread of the infection among the poor and
 black citizens and the minimal threat of this disease when
 compared with cancer or cardiovascular disease.  What he
 failed to mention is that the "epidemic" is ending.  Centers
 for Disease Control data show a 1990 (January through
 November) case total of 38,180, and for the like period of
 1991 a case total of 40,782.  This 6% increase from 1990 to
 1991 is considerably less than the 50% to 80% annual
 increases in AIDS cases in the 1980s.  Even with the many
 "revisions" in the CDC's definition of AIDS, it appears the
 epidemic is slowly but definitely decreasing.  The vast number
 of new cases predicted in past years have not materialized.
    E. J. Neiburger, D. D. S. 
    Director
    Center for Dental AIDS Research
    Waukegan, Ill.

[This article is made available here by Dow Jones Co. for the
 personal and non-commercial use of callers to this bbs, in the
 hope that it will be of some help to those who are suffering
 from the disease and others who are seeking to help them.]