The increasing role of constituencies of a federal public health agency: A case study on acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Abstract

The Centers for Disease Control has tackled the threat of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) from many difficult fronts, coordinating its efforts internally, with other agencies and with special interest groups. The agency has responded to public concern about the spread of the disease, recognizing the increasing role of contituencies in carrying out the mission of protecting the public health. CDC must continue to get the message to the public, to answer the fears and change raised by the disease, to combat hysteria, and to change behaviors that promote the transmission of AIDS.