Research by Dr. Michel Worobey demonstrated with 99.7% reliability that one strain of HIV came into the United States from which country?

Dr. Michel Worobey's research focused on tracing the origins and early spread of HIV within the United States. His studies provided compelling evidence that one strain of HIV, specifically the subtype that led to the epidemic in the U.S., was introduced primarily from Haiti. The findings revealed that individuals traveling from Haiti contributed significantly to the emergence of HIV in the United States during the late 1970s and early 1980s. This conclusion is supported by genetic evidence linking the strains found in the U.S. to those prevalent in Haiti at that time.

Understanding the historical context of HIV transmission is crucial as it underscores the importance of recognizing how migration patterns and global travel can influence the spread of infectious diseases. These findings have wider implications for public health policy and for understanding the complexities of the HIV epidemic in a global context.