HIV/AIDS is but one of a number of new and deadly diseases which threaten communities throughout the world. Together with the resurgence of diseases once thought to have been 'conquered', the human costs and social implications have begun to engage a diverse range of practitioners and scholars. The premise behind this collection of distinguished essays in that the causal relations, impacts and consequences of this disturbing trend are as much political as medical or scientific. This book is an excellent introduction to a field of growing importance.