I agree with your points in general, but I think your point on AIDS is off. In the developed world, AIDS can be treated and managed effectively at this point to where it is essentially a long term chronic illness like diabetes. This is a huge departure from the terrifying death sentence it was in the 80s. Of course, these treatments are not accessible enough yet...
All true, but whether something is "somewhat disappointing" does depend on what expectations were. I think expectations were often pretty high in the past; however we still have no vaccine, etc.
But, yes, compared to what, in retrospect, we might call "reasonable expectations", amazing things have occurred. Around the time AIDS was first noticed, the treatment for all viral diseases was essentially do your best to keep 'em alive long enough for the immune system to fight it off. And we've certainly gone 'way beyond that with AIDS.
