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African Americans in the United States are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. We focus in this paper on the structural and contextual sources of HIV/AIDS risk, and suggest that among the most important of these sources are drug policy and the corrections system. In particular, high rates of exposure to the corrections system (including incarceration, probation, and parole) spurred in large part by federal and state governments' self-styled war on drugs in the United States, have disproportionately affected African Americans. We review a wide range of research literature to suggest how exposure to the corrections system may affect the HIV/AIDS related risks of drug users in general, and the disproportionate HIV risk faced by African Americans in particular. We then discuss the implications of the information reviewed for structural interventions to address African American HIV-related risk. Future research must further our understanding of the relations among drug policy, corrections, and race-based disparities in HIV/AIDS.

America's children are stalked by race- and income-based inequities that demand our attention. Health care reform efforts that respect the needs of the entire child can diminish these inequities. Six prescriptions will help: universal early childhood education; comprehensive health and family life education; parental support; reinforcement of male responsibility; comprehensive school-based clinics; and opportunities for higher education.

To protect the interests of underserved Americans, fair and rational health care reform must embrace 10 principles. These include universal and comprehensive coverage; mandatory cost containment; equity; freedom to change jobs or to relocate; high quality; reduced paperwork; primary care; help for the underserved; consumer-oriented care; and fair financing.