Death and AIDS: a review of the medico-legal literature.
As there is still neither a known cure for the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) nor any vaccine to prevent infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), an AIDS diagnosis continues to denote a death sentence. One might think that approaching dying, death, and bereavement in the AIDS pandemic would be the same as with other terminal illnesses. However, that is not the case. No other single disease in the history of the American legal system has generated more litigation than this disease. This article examines some of the medico-legal issues associated with AIDS-related death such as estate planning, discrimination, insurance, long-term care, the right to die, and suicide as detailed in medical and legal discourse.
School of Library and Information Studies, Texas Women's University, Denton 76204.
J T
JT
Huber
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology*; D001293:Attitude to Death; D033101:Euthanasia, Active, Voluntary; D006801:Humans; D033222:Judicial Role; D011287:Prejudice; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014918:Wills / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*