John Gagnon

John Gagnon is a professor of sociology at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. In the following viewpoint, Gagnon argues that gay men and intravenous drug users have the highest risk of contracting HIV. Therefore, he maintains, prevention programs should concentrate on these two groups and not on those who are at low risk of contracting the virus. Gagnon contends that directing AIDS prevention programs at groups such as young nondrug-using heterosexuals, who are not at high risk of contracting the disease, wastes precious resources.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What is the best hope of fighting AIDS, in Gagnon’s opinion?
2. What percentage of Californians with AIDS are gay men, according to the author?
3. According to Gagnon, what are the dangers of a program that recognizes...