AIDS care in New York City: The comprehensive care alternative

Abstract

In Chapter 2, Arno and Hughes¹ critically examined the differences in the policy responses of San Francisco and New York City to the epidemic of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). They note that while both cities have devoted an enormous amount of financial support to fighting the epidemic, the timing of the development of specific services varied. For example, the first outpatient program for AIDS patients in San Francisco was opened in September 1981, with the first inpatient unit being established there in July 1983. In contrast, a dedicated AIDS outpatient clinic did not begin in New York until 1984, with the first discrete inpatient unit following in November 1985.¹ Although the San Francisco experience provides an important foundation on which to build, the unique risk-factor and case mix of New York’s population of AIDS patients requires the development of innovative programs to deal with these diverse populations.