Scientific & Government
Response

Community & Society
Response & Events
 
1978
  • Gay men in the US and Sweden -- and heterosexuals in Tanzania and Haiti -- begin showing signs of what will later be called AIDS.
  
1979
    
1980
  
  • Deaths in US -- 31 (includes all known cases 1981 and before)
1981
  • On June 5th, the CDC reports that in the period October 1980-May 1981, 5 young men, all active homosexuals, were treated for biopsy-confirmed Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia at 3 different hospitals in Los Angeles, California. Two of the patients died. All 5 patients had laboratory-confirmed previous or current cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and candidal mucosal infection.
  • On July 4th, the CDC reports that during the past 30 months, 26 cases of Kaposi Sarcoma have been reported among Gay males, and that eight have died, all within 24-months of diagnosis.
  • Number of known deaths in US during 1981 -- 234.
1982
  • CDC (USA) links the new disease to blood.
  • The term AIDS ("acquired immune dificiency syndrome") is used for the first time on July 27th.
  • Larry Speakes, President Reagan's press secretary jokes about AIDS during press briefing on October 15th.
  • US President Ronald Reagan has not mentioned the word "AIDS" in public yet.
  • The Gay Mens Health Crisis is founded in New York City.
  • Number of known deaths in US during 1982 -- 853.
1983
  • CDC (USA) warns blood banks of a possible problem with the blood supply.
  • Institut Pasteur (France) finds the virus (HIV).
  • US President Ronald Reagan has not mentioned the word "AIDS" in public yet.
  • Number of known deaths in US during 1983 -- 2304.
1984
  • Dr. Robert Gallo (US) claims he discovered the virus that causes AIDS; however, this is about a year after the French discovery.
  • US President Ronald Reagan has not mentioned the word "AIDS" in public yet.
  • Opus BBS is released, becoming the first mainstream software system to donate 100% of its proceeds to AIDS care/research.
  • Number of known deaths in US during 1984 -- 4251, including --
    • Gaetan Dugas, listed in The Band Played On as "patient zero."
1985
  • The FDA (US) approves the first HIV antibody test. Blood products begin to be tested in the US and Japan.
  • The first International Conference on AIDS is held in Atlanta (US).
  • US President Ronald Reagan mentions the word "AIDS" in public for the first time in response to a reporters questions on September 17, 1985. See, also: Associated Press, Los Angeles Times
  • AmFAR is founded in Los Angeles.
  • The first AIDS-related play -- The Normal Heart, by Larry Kramer -- opens in New York.
  • Number of known deaths in US during 1985 -- 5636, including --
    • Rock Hudson, film star.
1986
  • President Reagan mentions AIDS in his Message to the Congress on America's Agenda for the Future on February 6, 1986.
  • US Surgeon General Everett Koop publishes a report on AIDS. It calls for sex education.
  • Switzerland begins testing of blood products.
  • Ben Gardiner's AIDS BBS goes on-line in San Francisco, CA (USA).
  • Number of known deaths in US during 1986 -- 2960.
  • Cumulative known deaths: 16,301.
1987
  • AZT (zidovudine, Retrovir®) -- Glaxo Wellcome -- becomes the first anti-HIV drug approved by the FDA. The recommended dose is one 100mg capsule every four hours around the clock.
  • Canada stops distribution of tainted blood products.
  • The US shuts its doors to HIV-infected immigrants and travelers.
  • On April 2nd, with virtually no mention made in the interim, President Reagan appeared before the College of Physicians in Philadelphia, to deliver his first "major speech" on AIDS, calling it "public enemy number one." Vice President George Bush is heckled when he calls for mandatory HIV testing.
  • ACT UP is founded in New York City in March.
  • A family -- including three HIV-positive sons (hemophiliacs) -- are driven from their home (Arcadia, Florida, US) after their home was torched by an arsonist.
  • After an ACT UP demonstration, the FDA announces a two year shortening in the drug-approval process.
  • The AIDS Memorial Quilt is started in San Francisco (US).
  • And The Band Played On by Randy Shilts is published.
  • Number of known deaths in US during 1987 -- 4,135.
    • Liberace, entertainer (PCP).
    • Michael Bennett, Broadway director (Chorus Line).
1988
  • US bans discrimination against federal workers with HIV.
  • US mails 107 million copies of "Understanding AIDS," a booklet by Surgeon General C. Everett Koop.
  • FDA (US) okays importation of non-approved treatment for PWA personal use.
  • Number of known deaths in US during 1988 -- 4,855.
1989
  • Haiti stops distribution of tainted blood products.
  • FDA (US) approves pentamidine mist for use against PCP.
  • After two years of intense ACT UP protests over the price of its drug, AZT, Burroughs Wellcome lowers AZT's price by 20%.
  • Number of known deaths in US during 1989 -- 14,544.
    • Amanda Blake, TV star ("Miss Kitty" on Gunsmoke)
1990
  • Ronald Reagan apologizes for his neglect of the epidemic while he was president (US).
  • ĘGIS is founded by Sr. Mary Elizabeth and the Sisters Of St. Elizabeth Of Hungary.
  • Number of known deaths in US during 1990 -- 18,447.
    • Halston, American fashion designer.
    • Keith Haring, artist.
    • Ryan White, teenager, hemophiliac, AIDS activist.
1991
  • ddI (didanosine, Videx®) -- Bristol-Myers Squibb -- a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, is approved for use in the USA.
  • 10 million have HIV worldwide (WHO). More than a million are in the US (CDC).
  • Professional basketball player Magic Johnson tells the world he has HIV.
  • Kimberly Bergalis, who apparently got HIV from her dentist asks the US congress to force health care workers to be tested for HIV.
  • Number of known deaths in US during 1991 -- 20,454.
1992
  • ddC (zalcitabine, Hivid®) -- Roche -- a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, is approved for use in the USA.
  • First clinical trial of multiple drugs is held.
  • FDA (US) starts "accelerated approval" -- interim licensing -- to get promising drugs to PWAs faster.
  • PWAs Bob Hattoy and Elizabeth Glaser give speeches to the US Democratic National Convention.
  • Number of known deaths in US during 1992 -- 23,411.
    • Robert Reed, actor
1993
  • CDC (US) revises its definition of AIDS, including new opportunistic infections.
  • The so-called "female condom" is approved. In the US, the FDA refused to allow testing for anal sex, saying sodomy is illegal in too many states.
  • Four French blood bank officials sent to prison for allowing HIV-tainted blood into French blood banks.
  • Researchers in Europe show taking AZT (monotherapy) early in the disease has no benefits (Concorde study).
  • Number of known deaths in US during 1993 -- 41,920.
    • Arthur Ashe, tennis legend.
    • Rudolf Nureyev, ballet dancer.
1994
  • d4T (Zerit®) -- Bristol-Myers Squibb -- a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, is approved for use in the USA.
  • A Benneton advertisement depicts US Pres. Ronald Reagan with K.S. lesions.
  • Number of known deaths in US during 1994 -- 32,330.
    • John Curry, Olympic figure skater.
    • Randy Shilts, Chronicled rise of AIDS.
    • Elizabeth Glaser, Crusader for Pediatric AIDS.
    • Dack Rambo, actor
1995
  • Saquinavir (Invirase®) -- Roche -- is approved for use in the US. This is the first anti-HIV drug in the protease inhibitor class.
  • 3TC (lamivudine; Epivir®) -- Glaxo Wellcome -- a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, is approved for use in the US.
  • Germany convicts four of selling HIV-tainted blood.
  • US admits it was the Institut Pasteur (France), not Robert Gallo (NIH, US) who discovered the virus that causes AIDS.
  • Olympic diver Greg Louganis reveals that he has AIDS.
  • Number of known deaths in US during 1995 -- 48,371.
    • Eric "Easy-E" Wright, "gangsta" rap star.
    • Paul Monette, Writer of Gay anguish.
1996
  • Nevirapine (Viramune® -- Roxane Laboratories, approved for use in the US. This is the first anti-HIV drug in the class called non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor.
  • Ritonavir (Norvir®) -- Abbott -- a protease inhibitor, is approved for use in the USA.
  • Indinavir (Crixivan®) -- Merck -- a protease inhibitor, is approved for use in the USA.
  • Japan busts Green Cross Pharmaceutical Corp. for dealing in HIV-tainted blood.
  • Researchers (UCSF) show Kaposi's sarcoma is caused by a herpes virus.
  • TIME magazine's 1996 Man of the Year is AIDS researcher Dr. David Ho.
  • Basketball star Magic Johnson returns to play basketball.
  • Heavyweight boxer Tommy Morrison announces he is HIV positive.
  • California voters passed Proposition 215 (55.7% to 44.3%) to allow medical use of marijuana. Arizona passed Proposition 200 by a much larger margin, 65.3% to 34.7%.
  • Number of known deaths in US during 1996 -- 34,947, including:
    • Peter Adair, filmmaker.
1997
  • CDC reports first case of probable HIV transmission through kissing.
  • CDC reports annual AIDS deaths dropped in the U.S.
  • Number of known deaths in US during 1997 -- 21,399
  • Approximate total worldwide death count -- 6,400,000.
  • Approximate number of HIV-positive people worldwide -- 22,000,000. To put this number in perspective, it is larger than the total population of the continent of Australia.
1998
  • Number of known deaths in US during 1998 -- 17,403.
1999
  • Number of known deaths in US during 1999 -- 16,762.
2000
  • Number of known deaths in US during 2000 -- 14,499.
2001
  • Number of known deaths in US during 2001 -- 8,998.
2002
  • Number of known deaths in US during 2002 -- 16,371.
  • Cumulative deaths in US through 2002 -- 501,669.
Further reading -- Covering the Epidemic, The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
Courtesy of Aegis.com