ths, infant mortality, homicide all decline. Age adjusted death rates from HIV infection in the US declined an unprecedented 47% from 1996 to 1997, and HIV infection fell from 8th to 14th among leading causes of death in the US over the same time. Ages 25-44, HIV dropped from leading cause of death in 1995 to the third-leading in 1996 and in 1997 fifth-leading. Age-adjusted HIV death rate of 5.9 deaths per 100,000 is the lowest rate since 1987. The 1997 rate is less than half the 1992 rate (12.6) and almost one-third the rate in 1995 (15.6).The overall infant mortality rate reached a new low of 7.1 deaths per 1,000 live births. The teen birth rate also fell an estimated 3% in 1997, continuing a 6-year trend. And the preliminary age-adjusted homicide fell 12% in 1997.REFERENCES:Contributed by Thomas Murial Folks and Salvatore Thomas ButeraAcquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Microsoft Encarta 97 Encyclopedia. 1993-1996 Microsoft Corporation.Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, AIDS Falls from Top Ten Causes of Death; Teen Births, Infant Mortality, Homicide All Decline, October 1998Valerie Michelle Hoskins, Body Positive, November 1997, Volume X, Number 11Martin Markowitz, MD, Protease Inhibitors; What They Are, How They Work, When to Use Them, IAPAC, September 1997Bryan Walpert, Health Care Hazards: steering clear of needle sticks, ACP ASIM Observer, PG 6, October 1998Deborah L. Shelton, Giving birth to HOPE, American Medical News, PG 32 and 34, September 1998Deborah L. Shelton, State urges to enforce and expand HIV notification law, American Medical News, PG 33, November 9, 1998The Journal of American Medical Association 1998;280:1416-1420, 1421-1426; Reuters Health Information ServicesUPI Health (Mens Health), HIV may differ in semen and blood, October 15, 1998.Stephanie Stapelton, Risk of transmitting HIV to patients is small, CSA says, Americal Medical News, PG 23, November 23/30 1998 INTERNET: AIDS Action: HIV/AIDS...
