Linked by Blood ― Hemophilia and AIDS

Linked by Blood recounts the factors responsible for the widespread infection of people with hemophilia by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-contaminated blood and offers a prescription for addressing the challenges of future viral epidemics. It describes the impact of AIDS on people with hemophilia, their families and caregivers. The collection, processing, and distribution of blood in the early years of the HIV epidemic are described, and the failure of regulatory agencies to promulgate effective rules to safeguard the blood supply are discussed. The contributions of individuals and organizations that mitigated the epidemic are recognized.Linked by Blood presents recommendations for addressing the myriad medical, social, and economic challenges posed by blood-borne viral infections (AIDS, Ebola, MERS) that periodically sweep through large segments of our population.

• Addresses the challenges of future viral epidemics
• Understand the risks and benefits of blood transfusion
• Demystify HIV/AIDS by learning how this virus causes disease, is detected and treated
• Study the factors that led to contamination of the blood supply and contributed to the AIDS epidemic
• Learn about hemophilia: who is affected, why they bleed, how it is treated, what complications occur
• Understand the role of regulatory agencies in protecting the blood supply and ensuring the safety of blood and blood products
• Learn of new proposals to enhance blood product safety and regulate the prices of blood, drugs, and devices that are essential for human health.