Date of Award

12-2007

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Political Science

First Advisor

Dr. Gunther Hega

Second Advisor

Dr. Kevin Corder

Third Advisor

Dr. Susan Hoffmann

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

This thesis compares the HIV/ AIDS policies in the United States of America and the United Kingdom since the emergence of the virus in 1981. Despite a privatized health care system in the U.S. and the universal system in the UK, which lie on opposite ends of the policy care spectrum, similar populations have recently emerged as those most in need of health care services, preventative programs, and financial assistance. This thesis employs several quantitative and qualitative data to highlight the emergence of women and minorities in both nations as those that are most in need of resources. Data has been collected from archives, articles, and published reports.

This thesis explores the reasons for the emergence of similar groups despite the difference in health care and political systems. In the U.S., an active and politically powerful lobby of homosexual groups and hemophiliacs, which were the first to be affected by the epidemic, have blocked resources to emerging groups. In the UK, the lack of access to officials, and a heavy reliance on the universal health care system, has prevented new at-risk populations from receiving the specialized care necessary to prevent the spread of the epidemic.

Download

Share

COinS