Public Health Magazine: Spring 1996, Vol.4, No.1
AIDS in the Age of Incongruities
Allan Rosenfield Chairs AIDS Committee

Allan Rosenfield, MD, dean of the Columbia School of Public Health, was recently appointed chairman of the New York State AIDS Advisory Council by Governor George Pataki. Rosenfield is the second chairman in the council's 13-year history, succeeding the late David Rogers, MD, who had also served as co-chair of the national AIDS advisory committee. The council members-service providers and health professionals from medical institutions, local health departments, non-profit and community organizations, and representatives from the public-provide advice to the New York State Department of Health's AIDS Institute and to the State Commissioner of Health, as well as to the Governor and the State legislature on a broad range of HIV/AIDS issues that affect the health of citizens of New York state. Rosenfield is newly appointed to the council, although he had previously served on council subcommittees, including chairing a particularly contentious subcommittee on the testing of health care workers.

Looking to the future, Rosenfield states that "there is a range of complex issues facing the council including the impact of federal and state funding cuts on AIDS-related programs, controversial testing and confidentiality issues, and rising concerns about the epidemic among adolescents and young adults. The disease remains a serious threat and even greater diligence is needed as we attempt to prevent further spread and better treat those already infected."

Further, Rosenfield says that "this council has been very influential in steering public policy for New York, a state with probably the most effective AIDS program in the country. These policies have become models for national standards."

-JL