摘要：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. All US jurisdictions have criminal provisions that can be used to punish knowing exposure to or transmission of HIV to another person. More than half the states have HIV-specific criminal laws, whereas all have traditional criminal provisions. Yet criminal laws have not been shown to be effective in reducing rates of HIV infection. The Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS at Yale University created a multidisciplinary working group to address the legal, public health, and advocacy issues raised by US laws criminalizing HIV exposure or transmission. The working group convened meetings with presentations of current research by members and outside experts, drafted a literature review and annotated bibliography, and, following a year and a half of activities, brought together stakeholders from research, practice, and advocacy to develop this research agenda. 1
