Missoula internist urges sustained HIV/AIDS education, cites rising local and national cases

Dr. Tom Roberts, a Missoula internist who treats AIDS patients, told School District No. 1 staff and community members that HIV/AIDS is "truly a matter of life and death" and urged sustained education and prevention efforts while reviewing local and national data on cases, transmission and treatment.

Roberts said the epidemic is not confined to large coastal cities and described rising heterosexual transmission and cases in rural areas. He reviewed national and Montana statistics, outlined how HIV attacks the immune system and summarized prevention and treatment options, emphasizing that prevention through education remains the most effective public‑health response.

Roberts framed the presentation around the scale and trajectory of the epidemic and why the schools should remain engaged. "We're embarking upon our continued education in what in my judgment is truly a matter of life and death," he told the audience. He said school‑based education can change behavior and urged repeated, accurate instruction so students develop safer lifelong habits.

On the scope of the epidemic, Roberts cited national figures and state counts: he said national cumulative reporting (as cited in his presentation) stood at "369" cases as of the end of 1993 with about 220,000 deaths, and he said Montana had…