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AIDS: Don’t Die of Prejudice
Eighteen million people around the world live with HIV but do not know they are infected. Endangering both themselves and countless others, they represent a public health challenge that affects not only Africa but every part of the world, including Europe and the United States. We stand at a tipping point in the AIDS crisis - and unless we can increase the numbers tested and treated, we will not defeat it. In spite of the progress since the 1980s there are still over 1.5 million deaths and over 2 million new HIV infections a year. Norman Fowler has travelled to nine cities around the globe to report on the position today. What he discovered was a shocking blend of ignorance, prejudice, bigotry and intolerance. In Africa and Eastern Europe, a rising tide of discrimination against gays and lesbians prevents many from coming forward for testing. In Russia, drug users are dying because an intolerant government refuses to introduce the policies that would save them. Extraordinarily, Washington has followed suit and excluded financial help for proven policies on drugs, and has turned its back on sex workers. In this lucid yet powerful account, Norman Fowler reveals the steps that must be taken to prevent a global tragedy. Aids: Don't Die of Prejudice is both an in-depth investigation and an impassioned call to arms against the greatest public health threat in the world today.
- GenresNonfictionLGBT
304 pages, Paperback
First published June 10, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 16, 2014
Back in the 80's Lord Norman Fowler, the then UK Secretary of State for Health, spear headed the HIV public awareness campaign 'Don't die of Ignorance'. That campaign increased the awareness of HIV and AIDS in the UK and was a highly effective way of communicating a simple public health message about an incurable and vicious disease.
Thirty years on in this book Lord Fowler examines the current situation on the HIV and AIDS pandemic and he brings an up to date view on the scale of the pandemic and the way it is being addressed or not addressed in various countries across the world.
His writing which is excellent shows us that we are at the tipping point of the pandemic and it can go either way. Countries all over the world still allow stigma and discrimination, inaction and complacency to undermine treatment and prevention efforts, despite the fact that there is still no cure for HIV and AIDS. Across the world there are millions of people who remain undiagnosed and untreated potentially presenting a future health crisis if nothing is done.
The book is not just one of warning. It also recognises the work and effort that has gone into the HIV response across the world. Great gains have been made in reducing mother to child transmission and in increasing access to anti retroviral treatment but continued stigma and discrimination and Government complacency can easily set back the gains that have been won.
The book emphasis the fact that stigma and discrimination are alive and well, undermining the health and human rights of people who are viewed in many countries as undesirable. Lord Fowler shows us how this works against intravenous drug users in Russia, sex workers through out the world and gay men in Africa and elsewhere, and of course women, especially in low income countries. We have come far in our efforts to combat HIV and Aids but not far enough. Governments and communities throughout the world are hampered by prejudice and discrimination against some of the most vulnerable people in the world.
I found this to be a thoughtful easy to read book and very helpful for my own reflections as a priest and community activist. The way in which stigma and discrimination is still alive and flourishing and undermining efforts to address HIV and AIDS is both astounding and heartbreaking. It shows the hypocrisy of the human race and the way in which societies scapegoat the vulnerable. It also shows how Governments undermine and erode the human rights of others.
But this book is not all doom and gloom. It is also a testimony to the courageous men and women and Governments who have taken up the challenge that HIV and AIDS presents and have done what they could in their own corners of the world to fight back and to sustain life through their efforts. In this way the book is encouraging because it shows us what can be done if we have vision, courage and determination.
I found this book to be very helpful. It is a kind of stock take or overview of where we are in this struggle. It also acts as a clarion call both warning and encouraging us not to give up.
It was excellent to read and easy to understand and I appreciate the efforts of the author both to combat this dreadful life destroying virus and to encourage others to do so as well.
Thirty years on in this book Lord Fowler examines the current situation on the HIV and AIDS pandemic and he brings an up to date view on the scale of the pandemic and the way it is being addressed or not addressed in various countries across the world.
His writing which is excellent shows us that we are at the tipping point of the pandemic and it can go either way. Countries all over the world still allow stigma and discrimination, inaction and complacency to undermine treatment and prevention efforts, despite the fact that there is still no cure for HIV and AIDS. Across the world there are millions of people who remain undiagnosed and untreated potentially presenting a future health crisis if nothing is done.
The book is not just one of warning. It also recognises the work and effort that has gone into the HIV response across the world. Great gains have been made in reducing mother to child transmission and in increasing access to anti retroviral treatment but continued stigma and discrimination and Government complacency can easily set back the gains that have been won.
The book emphasis the fact that stigma and discrimination are alive and well, undermining the health and human rights of people who are viewed in many countries as undesirable. Lord Fowler shows us how this works against intravenous drug users in Russia, sex workers through out the world and gay men in Africa and elsewhere, and of course women, especially in low income countries. We have come far in our efforts to combat HIV and Aids but not far enough. Governments and communities throughout the world are hampered by prejudice and discrimination against some of the most vulnerable people in the world.
I found this to be a thoughtful easy to read book and very helpful for my own reflections as a priest and community activist. The way in which stigma and discrimination is still alive and flourishing and undermining efforts to address HIV and AIDS is both astounding and heartbreaking. It shows the hypocrisy of the human race and the way in which societies scapegoat the vulnerable. It also shows how Governments undermine and erode the human rights of others.
But this book is not all doom and gloom. It is also a testimony to the courageous men and women and Governments who have taken up the challenge that HIV and AIDS presents and have done what they could in their own corners of the world to fight back and to sustain life through their efforts. In this way the book is encouraging because it shows us what can be done if we have vision, courage and determination.
I found this book to be very helpful. It is a kind of stock take or overview of where we are in this struggle. It also acts as a clarion call both warning and encouraging us not to give up.
It was excellent to read and easy to understand and I appreciate the efforts of the author both to combat this dreadful life destroying virus and to encourage others to do so as well.
July 9, 2018
An incredibly important book that looks at HIV/AIDS across the world. Fowler looks at key cities across the world and the way/s they have combated (or in many cases inflamed) the management of the disease. The author also explores how extreme discrimination of LGBTQI+ and the criminalisation of sex work in places such as Russia, Uganda and India (among others) are fuelling a rapid increase of AIDS across the world. 5 stars.
February 1, 2026
such a hard book to read, especially given how the medical worlds gone in the 12 years since it was written with covid and trump etc. for an older medical book, i was super impressed by how none of the language or opinions felt outdated at all, everything and everyone was clearly handled with so much sensitivity and respect which was refreshing amidst the bleak subject matter. i still think this is an important and sadly relevant book that more people should read
September 1, 2024
Dissertation reading.
4.5 stars. Fowler’s contribution to the initial fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS has sometimes been overlooked. This is an important account of the actions he took as Secretary of State for Health and the AIDS-related work he has done since leaving office.
4.5 stars. Fowler’s contribution to the initial fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS has sometimes been overlooked. This is an important account of the actions he took as Secretary of State for Health and the AIDS-related work he has done since leaving office.
April 5, 2015
This book has put me in the strange position of agreeing quite significantly with a former Conservative minister. I didn't realise who Norman Fowler was (member of Margaret Thatcher's cabinet, his most relevant role to this book being Secretary of State for Health and Social Security) when I purchased this book, but having read it I'm very glad someone so involved in the campaigns of the 80s wrote such a book.
First of all, the really significant issue I have with this book: only a sentence or two is dedicated to Section 28, legislation that the Conservative government introduced that banned the "promotion" of homosexuality, particularly in schools. Fowler says that he regrets his role in this legislation, but I feel like he could have talked more about its destructive influence on efforts to stop the spread of AIDS.
Having said that, overall this book is really great. It starts by looking at the "Don't Die of Ignorance" campaign that Fowler spearheaded, as well as the opposition he faced in trying to get plain information out to the public, as well as the opposition to needle exchange programmes, which were implemented by Thatcher's government. It goes on to look at countries around the world, each of which has a different approach and set of problems. He effectively demonstrates that we haven't won the war on AIDS, even in this country – far from it – and just how many different issues there are to deal with. However, he does also show where there have been successes, often in the face of damaging legislation and public attitudes. There is no judgement in his accounts of people who are usually considered the worst of society; he is vehemently against such discrimination, particularly where it means the spread of AIDS and other diseases continues. At the same time, it's heartbreaking to see how much misinformation and stigma is still around and the devastating impact it has on some of the most vulnerable people.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the continuing AIDS crisis. It is both realistic and optimistic, with a huge amount of information covering all corners of the globe, while remaining easy to read. I suppose with me this book was preaching to the choir, so it would be interesting to hear what someone less socially liberal might think of it.
First of all, the really significant issue I have with this book: only a sentence or two is dedicated to Section 28, legislation that the Conservative government introduced that banned the "promotion" of homosexuality, particularly in schools. Fowler says that he regrets his role in this legislation, but I feel like he could have talked more about its destructive influence on efforts to stop the spread of AIDS.
Having said that, overall this book is really great. It starts by looking at the "Don't Die of Ignorance" campaign that Fowler spearheaded, as well as the opposition he faced in trying to get plain information out to the public, as well as the opposition to needle exchange programmes, which were implemented by Thatcher's government. It goes on to look at countries around the world, each of which has a different approach and set of problems. He effectively demonstrates that we haven't won the war on AIDS, even in this country – far from it – and just how many different issues there are to deal with. However, he does also show where there have been successes, often in the face of damaging legislation and public attitudes. There is no judgement in his accounts of people who are usually considered the worst of society; he is vehemently against such discrimination, particularly where it means the spread of AIDS and other diseases continues. At the same time, it's heartbreaking to see how much misinformation and stigma is still around and the devastating impact it has on some of the most vulnerable people.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the continuing AIDS crisis. It is both realistic and optimistic, with a huge amount of information covering all corners of the globe, while remaining easy to read. I suppose with me this book was preaching to the choir, so it would be interesting to hear what someone less socially liberal might think of it.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews