Many saw the week in July as a watershed event, signaling a new willingness to confront HIV and AIDS in the developing world. 
Listen to a report from NPR's Joe Neel for Weekend Edition Saturday.
The conference opened with the controversial remarks of South African President Thabo Mbeki, who has drawn fire for questioning whether HIV is solely responsible for causing AIDS in his country. It closed with remarks from Nelson Mandela, the former South African leader. He called for an end to dissension between politicians and scientists and a renewed focus on helping those who are ill. In between came stories of hope and of disappointment.
AIDS Features
Mbeki Greets Delegates
Weekend All Things Considered, July 9, 2000
In an opening address, South African President Thabo Mbeki defends his government's controversial AIDS policies and says that poverty in Africa calls for different solutions to the epidemic. Mbeki dismays many in attendance -- as well as world leaders watching from afar -- by returning to the theme that some scientist believe HIV may not be the root cause of South Africa's AIDS epidemic.
Distribution of AIDS Drugs
Morning Edition, July 10, 2000
As the conference gets underway, early discord centers on how to distribute anti-AIDS drugs in the economically weak African countries with millions of HIV-infected citizens. It's a problem that has so far overwhelmed most government efforts.
Treatment with Strings Attached
All Things Considered, July 10, 2000
Drug companies are making a big show of giving discounts and even free drugs to developing countries - but often there are strings attached. And the countries are hardly equipped to dispense sophisticated medical treatments -- especially in South Africa, where apartheid essentially deprived blacks of all health care.
New Treatment Strategy
All Things Considered, July 11, 2000
Doctors from the National Institutes of Health tell the Durban delegates that they have had success with an on-and-off regimen of AIDS drugs. It appears patients tested could safely stop the drugs for a month or two, then start them again. But many warn patients not to try this until further studies have proved that it is not dangerous.
Spermicide Proves HIV Threat
All Things Considered, July 12, 2000
Disappointing news: a report says that a widely used spermicide, once thought to prevent the spread of HIV, may actually increase the risk of transmission. New research, involving prostitutes who used the spermicide as much as 20 times a day, suggests nonoxynol-9 can increase the likelihood that some women will be infected with HIV. It's still judged safe for most women.
Fears of Violence Unfounded
All Things Considered, July 13, 2000
Rumors that violence and protests would tarnish the conference were rampant before delegates arrived. And some American participants withdrew before the conference began because of concerns about their safety. Some of those fears appear to have been generated by drug companies.
Thailand Leads the World
All Things Considered, July 13, 2000
Thailand is leads the world in testing AIDS vaccines. That's because the nation has a strong scientific tradition, a good medical infrastructure, a willing populace and the political backing to conduct studies involving thousands of volunteers. Many of these ingredients are missing elsewhere in the world, where AIDS vaccines are more desperately needed.
Better Care for Infected Newborns
Morning Edition, July 14, 2000
Scientists are learning more about how to prevent pregnant women from transmitting HIV to unborn children. But the treatments aren't cheap, so they rarely translate to the developing world, where they are most needed. Still, researchers note many hopeful developments.
Mandela Speaks
All Things Considered, July 14, 2000
On the final day of the conference, former South African president Nelson Mandela urges scientists and political leaders to set aside their
differences about whether HIV causes AIDS. Some feel Mandela has been too reticent about the epidemic in the past.
Excerpts from Mandela's Address
Weekend All Things Considered, July 15, 2000
Some excerpts from Nelson Mandela's speech on the final day of the AIDS Conference in Durban.
The Origin of AIDS
Weekend All Things Considered, July 15, 2000
For most Americans, AIDS seemed to spring from nowhere less than 20 years ago. But researchers say the Human Immunodeficiency Virus is older than anyone suspected -- much older. There's evidence it was present in Africa as early as the 1600's. A brief history of a deadly virus.
U.S. Efforts Continue on Many Fronts
San Francisco Spike
Weekend All Things Considered, July 9, 2000
Health officials are worried about a rise in the levels of HIV infection
in San Francisco. They doubled in 1999, with 900 cases reported. The numbers are much smaller than during the 1980's, but epidemiologists fear a younger generation isn't taking the threat of AIDS as seriously.
Targeting High-Risk Groups
All Things Considered, July 11, 2000
Although overall HIV infection rates in the United States are relatively low, there are disturbing pockets of infection among some parts of the population. Health officials are designing prevention programs especially for groups at high risk.
One Minister's Crusade
Weekend All Things Considered, July 15, 2000
Figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show AIDS is now the leading cause of death for African-Americans aged 25 to 44. Weekend All Things Considered host Jacki Lyden discusses the issue with Rev. Eugene Rivers, a Massachusetts pastor who is urging fellow ministers to step up anti-AIDS activism in the United States and abroad.
Seeking a Vaccine
All Things Considered, July 12, 2000
One small company in North Carolina is pioneering a new approach in attempts to develop a vaccine against AIDS. Scientists have tapped public money and charity, as well as venture capital, to move from lab research to the market place.
