APA and AIDS: The evolution of a scientific and professional initiative in the public interest.

Reports that the public was slow to recognize the relevance of psychology to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) related issues of coping, education, and behavior change, but such awareness came about, largely because of pressure from the American Psychological Association (APA) and its members. To make research information accessible as soon as possible, APA began "fast tracking" AIDS-related information into its print products and electronic database in 1986 and released a comprehensive bibliography on abstracts of AIDS-related psychological and behavioral literature in June of 1988 (A. Y. Dessaint et al [1988]). Other legislative and educational efforts are described. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)