Criminalization of Human Immunodeficiency Virus in the United States

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) criminalization is the prosecution of people with HIV using HIV-specific state statutes, sentence enhancements, and general criminal laws wherein otherwise legal conduct becomes criminalized based on a person ’s HIV diagnosis. HIV criminal laws perpetuate HIV stigma and discrimination, misrepresent how HIV is transmitted, and are a barrier to HIV prevention and care. Research has found that Black Americans are more likely to be arrested for and convicted of HIV-related offenses. The harm caused by HIV laws on already marginalized communities is long-lasting and severe.
Source: Nursing Clinics of North America - Category: Nursing Authors: Source Type: research