Larry Altman, in today's New York Times, discusses the New York City health commissioner's decision last week to announce that one man had shown the first diagnosed strain of HIV that was resistant to several antiretroviral drugs and rapid progression from infection to AIDS.
Some have criticized the announcement as "too hasty, alarmist and unscientific." Altman recalls that not long ago, single case reports were common in medical journals. He quotes the commissioner saying, "I don't know whether this is of tremendous scientific importance but I do know that from a public health standpoint it is of great concern."
This is an important issue as scientists, public health experts and journalists think about how they communicate information to the public. Read Altman's story for more complete perspectives.
Posted by schwitz at February 15, 2005 11:24 AM