Attitudes to Now
Most people say that the USA is progress in fighting . But they don’t know there’s no cure and strongly disagree that "the epidemic is over."
The findings, released Thursday by the Kaiser Family Foundation, reassure activists who have worried that public concern about might disappear in light of recent news about advances in treatment and declines in deaths.
"While people are very optimistic about the advances, they’re still realistic about the fact that there is no cure," says Sophia Chang, director of HIV programs at the foundation.
The Kaiser survey, like a recent USA today Gallup Poll, does find that the number of people ranking as the country’s top health problem has fallen. In the Kaiser poll, 38% say it’s the top
concern, down from 44 % in a 1996 poll; in the Gallup Poll, 29 % say is N0.1, down from I 41% in 1992and67% in 1987.
Other findings from Kaiser, which polled more than 1,200 s in September and October and asked additional questions of another 1,000 s in November..
52% say the country is progress against ; up from 32% in 1995.
51% say the government spends too little on .
86 % correctly say drugs can now lengthen lives: an equal number correctly say that the drugs are not cures.
67% incorrectly say that deaths increased or stayed the same in the past year; 24% know deaths fell.
Daniel Zingale, director of Action Council, says, "I’m encouraged that the American people are getting the message that the epidemic isn’t over. I hope the decision-makers in Washington are getting the same message...We have seen signs of complacency."
Epidemic n.流行病; (流行病的)流行,传播
Reassure vt.向.......一再保证,安慰,使放心,使消除疑虑.
Poll n.民意测验,民意测验结果
Complacency n.自满(情绪),沾沾自喜;满足,满意
The word "message" in the last paragraph means