[3] The pamphlet contains simple information about AIDS and HIV, and factual descriptions of how it is transmitted through sexual contact and drug use.

[1] A national survey found that at least 60 percent of people interviewed following the mailing remembered receiving Understanding AIDS.

[2][8] As a result of preparatory research on how to make the pamphlet understandable to a wide audience, the authors avoided labels for people like "gay" or "drug addicts," and instead described behaviors like anal sex or needle sharing.

[9] Jerry Falwell expressed skepticism of the pamphlet, saying a simple message of "no sex outside of marriage would have saved taxpayers' money.

"[2] Surgeon General Koop was himself an Evangelical Christian and a friend of Falwell's who believed the pamphlet was consistent with his religious beliefs on sexual morality.