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Synopsis The acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has been considered as a personal tragedy for millions of people throughout the world-both those who have suffered with and died from AIDS as well as those who struggle with it still. It is these men and women who have borne the brunt of the epidemic, often with inspiring dignity and courage. In addition to being a personal tragedy, AIDS has proven to be a special challenge, a cultural catharsis, a political quagmire, and a scientific puzzle. Perhaps more than any other threat to the public health in modern times, the AIDS epidemic has entangled not only individuals but also families and friends, cultures and communities, cities and nations throughout the world. It has cut across race and ethnicity, class and education, age and religion, gender the sexual orientation, challenging the compassion and ingenuity of humankind at every turn. Because of the extraordinary sweep of the epidemic, tens of thousands and specialized works have been published about the social, political, cultural, and scientific dimensions of AIDS and its causative agent, the Human lmmuno-Deficiency Virus (HIV). Yet, to date, no single volume has ever sought to systematically organize, synthesize, and contextualize this enormous body of information for a general readership. The Encyclopaedia of AIDS: A Social, Political, Cultural, and Scientific Record of the HIV Epidemic is the first reference work to undertake such as task by covering all major aspects of the global HIV/AIDS crisis concluding with the recent break-through in treatments. It provides extensive coverage of major topics in eight areas: basic science and epidemiology; transmission and prevention; pathology and treatment; impacted populations; policy and law; politics and activism; culture and society; and the global epidemic. With more than 300 entries written by 176 specialists from around the world and illustrated with more than 100 photographs and charts, The Encyclopaedia of AIDS is an essential reference work for students at the under-graduate and graduate levels, professionals in a wide variety of medical, service, and healthcare fields, academics, researchers, journalists, and general readers. This encyclopaedia also aims at exploring the Asia-Pacific countries with up-to-date date issues and strategies for reducing the epidemic.