Criminalization of HIV transmission and exposure: research and policy agenda. Am J Public Health 2013 Aug;103(8):1350-3
Date
06/15/2013Pubmed ID
23763428Pubmed Central ID
PMC3966663DOI
10.2105/AJPH.2013.301267Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84880154180 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 33 CitationsAbstract
More than half of US jurisdictions have laws criminalizing knowing exposure to or transmission of HIV, yet little evidence supports these laws' effectiveness in reducing HIV incidence. These laws may undermine prevention efforts outlined in the US National HIV/AIDS Strategy, in which the United States has invested substantial federal funds. Future research should include studies of (1) the impact of US HIV exposure laws on public health systems and practices; (2) enforcement of these laws, including arrests, prosecutions, convictions, and sentencing; (3) alternatives to HIV exposure laws; and (4) direct and opportunity costs of enforcement. Policy efforts to mitigate potential negative impacts of these laws could include developing prosecutorial guidelines, modernized statutes, and model public health policies and protocols.
Author List
Lazzarini Z, Galletly CL, Mykhalovskiy E, Harsono D, O'Keefe E, Singer M, Levine RJAuthor
Carol L. Galletly JD, PhD Associate Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Criminal LawHIV Infections
Health Policy
Humans
Incidence
Public Health
United States
