title: Fracastoro and the prognosis of applicants with HIV.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Discuss the relevance of the study "Trends in mortality of insurance applicants with HIV infection" by highlighting the key elements for underwriting HIV-positive life insurance applicants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Discussion on the basis of a comparison of HIV with syphilis, as presented by Giralmo Fracastoro; and by comparing HIV prevalence in applicants and the background population.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As with syphilis, adherence to therapy is a key element; different from syphilis is the importance of co-morbidity. The prevalence in life insurance applicants remains stab, while the prevalence in the population increases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The self selection of applicants with co-morbidity is the major reason for the continuing high relative mortality of HIV-positive applicants.
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Kneepkens
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D007352:Insurance, Life / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male