SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASE AND HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS - IS EVERYONE AT RISK AND DOES EVERYONE HAVE TO PAY

The pattern of disease within populations depends on the complex inter action between individuals. For example, the linking of individuals to form social and sexual networks affects disease incidence and prevale nce. As described by Potterat,(1) the formation of these networks resu lts in various patterns of disease spread. However, phenomena that occ ur among individuals do not necessarily mirror those observed in group s or populations. The interactions that characterize the relationship between individual and group level phenomena were considered during th is session of the Tenth International Meeting of the International Soc iety for STD Research. By examining these interactions we hoped to add ress the following two questions: Are all individuals equally at risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and infection with human immun odeficiency virus (HIV)? and Must the costs and benefits of interventi ons designed to prevent these outcomes be divided equally among all in dividuals to ensure the success of such interventions?