Michael H. Merson

About the author: Michael Merson is dean of public health at Yale University.

Although AIDS researchers are moving closer to finding a cure for the disease, it is still important to stress AIDS prevention. Even if a genuine cure is discovered, it will most likely not be accessible to the majority of AIDS victims. In addition, there is concern that strains of HIV that are resistant to the treatment might develop. AIDS prevention programs are becoming increasingly successful. Political and financial support for these programs needs to continue, regardless of the possibilities of a cure.

Early in July I took part in the 11th International Conference on AIDS. In the past, the mood at these meetings has generally been somber. But as the 15,000 participants from more than 125 countries gathered in Vancouver...