ABSTRACT
The structure of the national health care and social welfare systems is an important factor for understanding the development of HIV/AIDS activities in any country. In Sweden, as in most countries, a large number of voluntary organizations have become involved in activities aiming at preventing the spread of the HIV infection and in making life easier for those already infected. From an organizational-structural perspective, Swedish, private non-profit organizations are often built up in the traditions of democratic, popular movements. One important part of the Swedish HIV/AIDS strategy which came into effect in September 1985, was the government’s decision to apply the Control of Infectious Diseases Act of 1968 to HIV/AIDS, thus making HIV infection a notifiable disease. The activities carried out by the organizations involved were divided into the following six subsectors: prevention, education and information; care; interest representation; policy coordination and monitoring; research; and support activities.
