title: Criminalization of HIV transmission and exposure: research and policy agenda.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Division of Public Health Law and Bioethics, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Ave. MC-6325, Farmington, CT 06030-6325, USA. lazzarini@nso.uchc.edu
authors.forename: Zita
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lazzarini
authors.forename: Carol L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Galletly
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mykhalovskiy
authors.forename: Dini
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Harsono
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: O'Keefe
authors.forename: Merrill
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Singer
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Levine
mesh_terms: D003416:Criminal Law / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D006291:Health Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D011634:Public Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology