The impact of AIDS on state public health legislation in the United States: a critical review.
This article reviews and analyzes the current public health legislation in 17 states and the District of Columbia in the United States. These states were selected and grouped into high, medium, and low incidence based on their annual AIDS incidence rates. Data were collected through a combination of library research and direct communications with the various state health departments. Four major areas of legislation were reviewed: HIV antibody testing and reporting; confidentiality and partner notification; personal control measures: and AIDS antidiscrimination laws. In general, majority of the states have treated the AIDS epidemic as a public health problem and not as a moral or criminal issue. Some states with higher incidence such as New York and California have developed the least restrictive laws and responded with stronger AIDS antidiscrimination legislation. The states with medium incidence have more restrictive measures and the low incidence states have less legislation and fewer regulations related to AIDS. AIDS educators should be aware of the implications of the varied legislation and regulations on AIDS education and prevention. They should play a strong advocacy role in promoting the development and application of measures that will facilitate the prevention and control of AIDS.
Lamboi
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Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Carolina School of Public Health, Columbia 29208.
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D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D035041:Anonymous Testing; D033161:Government Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007878:Legislation as Topic; D037141:Mandatory Programs; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology