AIDS Statistics

Your “AIDS in Los Angeles County” (Oct. 29) shows a disturbing chart on new AIDS cases for September, 1991. While the total September cases in adults were 246 or 10.7% of the yearly total, the heterosexual contact cases were 14 or 25% of their yearly total.

Although this number of heterosexual contact cases is relatively small, the population pool is very large. This subtle increase may portend a future epidemic of AIDS cases in numbers heretofore unseen and unexpected. This would put even further stress on our society.

Health insurance, which seems to cost more every month, would become even more expensive. Many middle- and upper-middle-class families will not be able to afford health insurance, even if their immediate families are not afflicted with AIDS.

ROBERT W. EITCHES MD

Beverly Hills