The AIDS epidemic and economic policy analysis

for helpful comments and discussions. The AIDS Epidemic and Economic Policy Analysis Economists have a vital role to play in helping public health officials and policymakers understand the AIDS epidemic and design efficient policies to limit its impact. AIDS is first and foremost a public health problem, but it is a problem with deep economic roots and potentially devastating economic consequences. The main purpose of this article is to document this assertion. The Costs of AIDS To understand the economic consequences of AIDS, a useful starting point is to examine the costs associated with this disease. These costs fall into four main categories. First are the personal medical care costs' associated with AIDS, which capture the costs of detecting, treating, and caring for people with AIDS. Second are the nonpersonal costs, such as the costs of blood screening; the costs of information, education, an