Sustaining Aids Mobilization: The Problem of Late-Stage Mobilization among High-Risk HIV/AIDS Subpopulations.

This research utilized Cress and Snow's (2000) synthesis of mobilization theory in an attempt to explain trends in HIV/AIDS infections among gay and minority subpopulations of the US between 1983 and 2001. Results only partially confirmed mobilization theory, revealing instead, contrary to theory, a new upswing of infection rates among two subpopulations: African Americans and young MSMs (men who have sex with men). A reformulation of mobilization theory was suggested to explain these anomalies based on a division of mobilization phenomena into 'early' versus 'late-stage' mobilization. The notion of institutional isomorphism was then used to explain the transition of social movement organizations between the two stages of mobilization and their varying success with mobilization against HIV/AIDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]