Discusses incidence of methylmercury poisoning throughout the world with increasing industrial and agricultural use of mercury compounds. Describes recent epidemic in Iraq resulting from use of wheat treated with methylmercurial fungicide. New data are presented on the toxicity of methylmercury and its metabolic fate in the human body. (JR)

Describes the continuing efforts of environmentalists to eliminate the use of chlorinated hydrocarbons as pesticides, and in particular discusses the opposing positions taken by the Environmental Defense Fund and the Shell Chemical Company on the use of aldrin and dieldrin. (JR)

Risk factors for disease consist of personal habits such as cigarette smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, and bodily characteristics such as hypertension and high serum cholesterol. Progress in identifying, quantifying, and controlling risk factors is opening the way to the prevention of disease. (BB)

Discusses control of poliomyelitis and influenza by live and killed virus vaccines. Considered are the etiological agents, pathogenic mechanisms and epidemiology of each disease. Reviews recent scientific studies of the diseases. Recommends use of killed virus vaccines in controlling both diseases. (CS)

The rate at which the epidemic of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is spreading in North America, Asia, Latin America, and Africa is discussed. The number of people infected globally and in low-risk urban populations is presented. (KR)

Discusses the impact of prevention of major causes of morbidity and mortality on life table assumptions and economic projections in the United States. Among changes to be expected is a major restructuring of the financing of old age pensions and social security. (Author/HM)

Described is the importance of genetic factors in health and disease and calls for the development of services for genetic screening, diagnosis, and counseling. Such services presently available in Canada are described. (BB)

The success of present and future immunization programs is endangered by public and physician complacency and by complex legal and ethical problems related to informed consent and responsibility for rare, vaccine-related injury. (BB)

Selected for discussion are certain advances in basic research and technologic innovation which shape the past, present, and future of medical care. Included are infectious diseases, especially hepatitis, immunology, clinical disorders of the immune system and the histocompatability system. (Author/SA)

Claims that the lifetime cost of medicare per acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patient will not exceed $80,000, an amount similar to the cost of treating other serious illnesses. Argues that the total projected costs for treating AIDS patients between 1981 and 1991 will not exceed $22 billion. (TW)

Provides an overview of some major areas of legal concern in which the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic is having an impact. Reviews rights of confidentiality and nondiscrimination regarding access to health care, employment, housing, education, and insurance. (TW)

Discusses a number of obstacles that limit effective education for reducing the incidence of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the United States. Includes behaviors that must be changed, disagreement about the propriety of educational messages to prevent AIDS, and uncertainty as to some of the dual messages of reassurance being…

Discusses how the infection of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) results in a profound immunosuppression due predominantly to a selective depletion of helper/inducer T lymphocytes that express the receptor for the virus, as well as neuropsychiatric abnormalities in the brain. (TW)