The data files on the enclosed CD contain information abstracted from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) case reports received from state and local health departments, who voluntarily report cases of AIDS to CDC. Case reports do not include patient or physician names or other personal identifiers. The data are protected under the Assurance of Confidentiality (Sections 306 and 308(d) of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. 242k and 242m(d)), which prohibits disclosure of any information that could be used to directly or indirectly identify patients. The statistical data contained in the AIDS Public Information Data Set are being released for public use in accordance with the assurance and do not identify patients directly, nor do they contain information that can identify patients indirectly.