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A brief note on the status of the AIDS pandemic from the Amsterdam VIIIth International Conference on AIDS warns that the course of the epidemic is not being altered by prevention efforts. AIDS occurs in every country usually spread by heterosexual contact so that women are equally affected with men. WHO estimates that there are 2 million cases as of mid-1992 and that there will be 15-18 million by 2000. 90% of the expected cases by 2000 will be in developing countries particularly in Africa. HIV is particularly widespread in central African cities affecting as many as 38% of young people in Kigali Rwanda. While the epidemic is spreading the response to prevention efforts has reached a plateau with no more evidence of effect from existing prevention programs. Unfortunately AIDS is being followed by an epidemic of tuberculosis. AIDS preferentially attacks the marginalized stigmatized and those of lesser status such as women. In the US there are still 47500 new cases annually most in the South and among blacks and Hispanics. Most Americans do not perceive themselves at risk and ignore their cumulative lifetime risk.