Prostitution as a Public Health Issue (From AIDS and the Law: A Guide for the Public, P 81-105, 1987, Harlon L Dalton and Scott Burris, eds. -- See NCJ-107949)

• NCJ Number: 107951
• Author(s): J F Decker
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 15 pages
• Sale Source: Yale University Press
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article reviews the evidence as to whether American prostitutes are significant transmitters of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and assesses related social control policies.

Abstract

Currently, there is no scientific evidence that American female prostitutes are significant transmitters of AIDS to their customers. There is more cause for concern among male prostitutes who service other men. This is largely due to incentives for professional prostitutes and their customers to reduce the risk of transmission of the AIDS virus by wearing condoms. There is a need for additional research on the matter, however. Legal strictures that potentially label sick people as criminal should be avoided, except as a last resort under compelling circumstances. Consideration should be given to changing involuntary civil commitment procedures to encompass those carrying the AIDS virus who pose a significant danger to themselves and others. This would allow the application of public health measures on an ad hoc basis. Attempts to curb prostitution itself are ill-advised and destined to fail, since they drive prostitution underground and reduce the possibility of effective legal, social, and medical control. Licensing combined with criminal measures against unlicensed prostitutes is preferable. This would permit public health officials to monitor prostitutes' health.