Statement by Edward N. Brandt, Jr., M.D., Assistant Secretary for Health

Photocopied at the Roaald Reagan l a '
4 ' DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES Public Health Service
Office of the Assistant Secretary
for Health
Washington DC 20201
FOR RELEASE
TUESDAY, MAY 24, 1983
Statement by
Edward N. Brandt, Jr., M.D.
Assistant Secretary for Health
Today I am announcing progress the Public Health Service is
making to combat Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, the
disorder that is striking increasing numbers of young,
productive people in the United States.
AIDS is a mysterious and complex disease that leads to a
total breakdown of the body's immune system.
It is an important public health problem. Since June 1981,
the Centers for Disease Control has received reports of 1,450
AIDS cases and 558 AIDS deaths from 35 States and the District
of Columbia. Four to 5 new cases are reported every day. One
hundred and six (106) cases have also been reported from 17
other nations. The cause of AIDS is not yet known, although we
have some promising leads. Nearly all cases have been reported
from among four high risk population groups: homosexual or
bisexual males with multiple sexual partners; intravenous drug
abusers; recent Haitian entrants; and persons with hemophilia.
Tragically, we are unaware of any AIDS patient who has regained

lost immunity.
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