The Nation - News from Nov. 30, 1987

Americans are changing their sex habits out of fear of AIDS, with more than 40% of adults concerned that they will contract the virus, according to a Gallup poll. AIDS is viewed by 68% of Americans as the nation’s most serious health problem, while 14% consider cancer more serious and 7% heart disease, according to the poll, published in Sunday’s New York Times. The poll found that 20% of American adults are “very concerned” that they will get acquired immune deficiency syndrome and 22% are “a little concerned.” And, 55% of American adults are taking specific precautions against AIDS--using condoms, using more discretion in choosing sexual partners, avoiding blood transfusions or saving their own blood in blood banks--or plan to be more cautious, the poll indicated.