Final answer:
The first American case of AIDS was identified in 1981, with AIDS becoming the leading cause of death for Americans aged 25-44 within fifteen years. The cause of AIDS, HIV, was identified, and a test became available by 1985. Despite the initial stigma, activism and research have led to treatments that manage the disease today.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first American case of the disease now known as AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) was identified in 1981. This identification marked the beginning of a crisis as AIDS would become the leading cause of death among Americans aged 25-44 within fifteen years. Initially, the cause of AIDS was unknown, leading to widespread panic and blame, especially targeting the LGBTQ community which was initially one of the hardest-hit demographics.
Scientists at centers like the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) would eventually determine that HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) caused AIDS, and by 1985, a test for the virus became available. Public awareness and activism, led by groups such as Gay Men's Health Crisis and AIDS Project Los Angeles, helped counteract misinformation and press for governmental support and increased funding for AIDS research. The mounting death toll in subsequent years highlighted the need for a robust public health policy and effective treatments for those living with HIV/AIDS.
In the absence of a vaccine, early AIDS activism laid the groundwork for more sophisticated political organizing and responses to the epidemic. Despite the initial associations with the gay community, it became clear that HIV/AIDS is a blood-borne, sexually transmitted disease that cannot be contracted through casual contact. Over time, treatments have emerged that make AIDS a manageable condition in the developed world, while challenges remain in parts of the developing world.