Criminalisation of HIV transmission: implications for public health in Scotland
Article analysing of the first case of HIV transmission in the UK. The authors conclude that far from protecting the public, the judgment has endorsed abrogation of individual responsibility in sexual partnerships by asserting a legal duty of disclosure on the infected partner. It is likely to undermine uptake of HIV testing and risks a one third increase in new HIV infections in Scotland. It also underlines the need for research scientists to anticipate that potentially incriminating results, even in unlabelled studies, may be followed up by forensic requests from individual study participants or by police warrant and recommends an urgent review by the Scottish Executive to minimise the negative effects on public health and molecular science.
Predictive analytics in HIV surveillance require new approaches to data ethics, rights, and regulation in public health
In this commentary, the authors describe ethical problems arising from big data interventions in HIV surveillance and suggest some potential pathways for reform.
Constructing an “HIV-Killer”: HIV Non-Disclosure and the Techniques of Vilification
An analysis of the notorious Canadian criminal case of Johnson Aziga. The article outlines five key ways that people living with HIV who do not disclose their status to a sexual partner are characterised as dangerous by both the criminal justice system and the media.
Heterosexual HIV-1 infectiousness and antiretroviral use: systematic review of prospective studies of discordant couples
Systemic review and meta-analysis of 50 studies considered HIV transmission risk between heterosexual partners. Found ART substantially reduces HIV infection risk within serodiscordant couples.
A Roadmap for Change: Federal Policy Recommendations for Addressing the Criminalization of LGBT People and People Living with HIV
Makes recommendations to government agencies to improve the federal government’s strategy on HIV/AIDS. Also includes testimonials & policy recommendations to address cycles of criminalization of and discrimination against LGBT people. Includes specific section on criminalisation of HIV (pages 48 – 53).
The problem of ‘significant risk’: Exploring the public health impact of criminalizing HIV non-disclosure
Emphasizes that the concept of significant risk undermines communication about transmission risk during HIV counselling and contributes to contradictory advice about disclosure obligations. Criminalization discourages openness about HIV non-disclosure in counselling relationships. The recontextualization of public health interpretations of significant risk in criminal proceedings can intensify criminalization.