A Strange New Disease in San Francisco. A Brief History of the City and Its Response to the HIV/AIDS Epidemic

Abstract

Advancements were made in the understanding of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the management of patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in many parts of the United States after such patients were first identified in 1981. Nevertheless, the relatively small city of San Francisco contributed a disproportionate share of them, due largely to the city's inclusive political and community response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, including the activities of its Department of Public Health and San Francisco General Hospital (SFGH). San Francisco's colorful history, multicultural character, and tradition of tolerance attracted many patients who would develop HIV/AIDS to the city. The same factors underlaid the community's compassionate response when large numbers of these patients needed medical services. These factors also motivated the physicians, nurses, and other health professionals at SFGH who cared for the patients on the world's first inpatient AIDS ward.