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AIDS funding and the rhetoric of scarcity
Abstract
The human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome (HIV/AIDS) epidemics provide a context in which to study the
emergence and growth of the subsequent new set of nonprofit
organizations. AIDS is a complex policy domain that includes policies
and funding for medical and social science research; public health;
mainstream, as well as alternative and holistic, approaches to health
care; social services, counseling, and self-help groups; housing,
foster care, and, more recently, permanency planning and adoption for
children likely to lose one or both parents. This article describes
the "rhetoric of scarcity," a viewpoint that focuses on the inadequate
past support for, and the uncertain future of, AIDS funding. This view
is at variance with the consistent rise in financial support for AIDS
and with the criticism from some quarters that AIDS is being
overfunded relative to other diseases. It is concluded that the
rhetoric of scarcity expressed by members of the AIDS community is
distinctive. However, it is not unique to HIV/AIDS and can be traced
to qualities of the epidemic and the ways in which nonprofit
organizations obtain their funds. The discussion draws primarily on
the preliminary findings of a study or organizational and policy
responses to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in New York City. Other findings
are discussed, then policy and research implications are outlined.
Journal
(1996)
vol7
no2
pages155-167
Categories
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Nonprofit Service Sectors
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HIV
