Description: As the world watched the biggest global epidemic in history evolve, many anticipated that Christians would embrace those who were affected just as Jesus during his time embraced those who were sick and dying. Mostly, the Christian church stood back and observed. Sometimes Christians responded with stigma and discrimination. Many who sought refuge in the churches--churches where they had served the sick and the poor--were turned away as they now sought refuge for themselves and their children.
Brief description: Arthur J. Ammann is Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center. He is the founder of Global Strategies for HIV Prevention. Ammann became interested in HIV when it was discovered in 1981. Throughout the world, and particularly in resource-poor countries, he has conducted research and directed programs for women and children on HIV prevention and care. Ammann has published numerous articles and essays on these subjects. He is the coeditor (with Arye Rubinstein) of Prevention and Treatment of HIV Infection in Infants and Children.