Health and social service systems are already straining to meet the needs of HIV-infected people, yet the number of individuals developing AIDS is expected to increase tenfold during the 1990's. There are an estimated 700,000 people worldwide who have AIDS. The casebook starts with a brief introduction to infectious diseases and describe the current health care crisis associated with AIDS. Political responses to the AIDS epidemic are noted, with examples given of how AIDS has emerged as a political phenomenon. Legal issues in the AIDS crisis focus on discrimination in business and employment, access to public education, family law issues, death and dying, insurance and Medicaid coverage, health care, criminal law and prisoners, tort liability, and public health concerns. The casebook concludes with a section on immigration issues related to AIDS and international efforts to control the epidemic. References and glossary