It is well known that poverty, along with weak social and economic infrastructure, fuel the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. Prevention and control programs, however, have largely relied on medical treatment while failing to address the social roots of the disease. This remains one of the key challenges in tackling HIV/AIDS, although much progress has been made since the first AIDS case was reported in 1981. This symposium will review the evolution of national and international efforts to prevent and control HIV/AIDS over the last three decades, highlighting research and practical experiences that can inform the development of future research and programs. Presentations will showcase successful efforts in Asia and Africa, in particular those interventions that target both the disease and its social causes. For example, China's campaign to eradicate the spread of sexually transmitted diseases half a century ago included social interventions, such as support for families and alternative jobs for prostitutes, along with conventional treatment programs. This comprehensive approach has lessons for contemporary HIV/AIDS prevention and control strategies nationally and globally.