This film is about the global AIDS situation. The film starts in Europe and the United States and ends up in Zimbabwe and Uganda. It tells about the global disparities of drug access, but also about the successful HIV and AIDS responses of Thailand, Cambodia and Uganda.

The primary focus of this documentary is on the history of how the AIDS epidemic started in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York in 1981. Many different stories are told about people affected or surrounded by HIV and AIDS in the early years of the epidemic.

Story from The Project Inform AIDS Hotline where people can call in and ask questions about HIV/AIDS and antiretroviral treatment. One of the volunteers is answering the phone.

Dr Selma Dritz tells the story of how the AIDS epidemic started in Los Angeles and San Francisco in the early 80's and how AIDS was connected to the gay liberation movement. She also talks about the government and community responses at that time.

Helene Gayle is an AIDS expert who has been working in many different initiatives in the US, among them the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). She also works in President Obama's advisory group on HIV/AIDS. Here she talks about understanding and changing behaviors.

Students are interviewed on the street in Washington DC, about HIV/AIDS and prevention.

Anthony Fauci is interviewed about the progression from HIV to AIDS. He talks about HIV long-term survivors and different aspects of non-progression to AIDS. He also reflects on the future for antiretroviral drugs and HIV vaccines.

Diane Johns is a nurse at San Francisco General Hospital. She shares her thoughts on terminal care, patient participation, home based care, homelessness, sex education and morality, stigma and other questions related to HIV and AIDS.

Dale Rogers is a lab assistant at San Francisco General Hospital. Here he talks about the relationship between health personnel and AIDS patients and how working with young AIDS patients affects his life. He also talks about stigma among health personnel.

Cutaways from a hotline office. Project Inform is an organisation based in San Francisco that provides information about drugs and treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS.

This production from 1990 debates the worldwide HIV/AIDS situation for women and children. The stigmatization of female sexuality is considered the primary reason of women's particularly exposed situation when it comes to sexually transmitted diseases.