Work in Progress

For LDP's latest production, Connie and Tom travel to Kwazulu Natal, home of the Zulu people and the hardest hit area in the world by the AIDS pandemic.

What we've learned is sobering, we interviewed some of the top people in the field and they all agree - there will not be an AIDS vaccine anytime soon. Two decades of research is all but starting over.

Also sobering is that the current ABC's of protecting oneself - Abstain, Be faithful or use a Condom isn't working either. The largest segment of the world population with AIDS are women most of whom believed they were in a monogamous relationship. These women found it difficult to use a condom with their partners. 2 However there is good news coming out of Africa, For the past 15 years a few scientists have been working in relative obscurity towards a topical jell that women can use to protect themselves. This drug is just starting massive testing in South Africa and looks very promising. The gel promises to put the control of a woman's health into her own hands, with or without the knowledge of her partner.