American Hospltai Association

Capitol Place, Building #3
50 F Street, N.W.
Suite 1100
Washington, DC. 20001
Telephone 202.638- 1100
Cable Address: Amerhosp

July 7, 1986

C. Everett Koop, M.D.
Surgeon General

United States Public Nealth Service
Department of T.lealth and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S. W . , Room 71%
Washington, D.C. 20201

Uear Dr. Koop

On behalf of the American Hospital Association, I want to thank you for
inviting us to share with you our perspectives on the public's need for
information about the AIDS situation.  I hope your June 1 L meeting with my
staff and our hospital representatives was helpful to you as you gather
information for your report to the public on AIDS.

AHA is certainly appreciative of the Department of Health and iHuman Services'
determined effort to combat the disease, by providing accurate and timely
information to health professionals and the public about its dangers and the
means of prevention.  The basic and clinical research efforts at the National
Institutes of Health and the epidemiological work of the Centers for Disease
Control are evidence of this cant inuing commitment.

Nevertheless we believe there are still gaps in public knowledge: physicians,
nurses and hospital administrators need to have scientific and epidemiological
data translated into their practical consequences for patient care; the
general public varies in educational background and level of scientific
awareness, and needs information tailored to its circumstances.  Rural
cornmunit ies face problems dif Ferent from those of the cities, where AIDS may
be more prevalent but where medical and social resources are also more readily
available.  Your report, bearing the authority of the Surgeon General, will be
an excellent means of reaching these communities.


Rill Johnson, one of the hospital administrators who met with you, is chief
executive officer of the IJniversity of New `lexico iiospital and chairman of
48.4's task force on AIDS.  tie is sending you a report on the level of public
awareness in New Mexico which definitely demonstrates the need for more public
education targeted to rural America.

Hospitals' ability to provide care to all who need it is enhanced by public
knowledge about real health risks and necessary and effective precautions;
conversely, this ability can be seriouslv impaired by unwarranted public fear.
Your efforts to allay these fears by disseminating good information have our
fullest support.

If we can be of further assistance, do not hesitate to call on us.

Sincerely yours

,Jack W. Owen
1Executive Vice President

cc: Robert E. Windom, Y.D., Assistant Secretary
  Walter R. Dowdle, Ph.D., Public Health Serv

for Health
ice .4IDS Coord

inator