Gable L, Gostin L, Hodge J G
Wayne State University Law School, 471 W. Palmer, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
Public Health. 2009 Mar;123(3):260-4. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2009.01.006. Epub 2009 Feb 28.
This article examines the dynamic role of law as a tool, and potential barrier, to public health interventions designed to ameliorate the negative impacts of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) globally. Law impacts the lives of persons living with (and at risk of) HIV/AIDS in many ways. Laws may: (1) help to ensure that public health authorities are empowered to provide effective prevention and treatment programmes; (2) effectuate the human rights to life, health, work, education and property ownership of persons living with, or at risk of, HIV/AIDS; and (3) protect persons living with HIV/AIDS from social risks, stigma and other harms by respecting privacy and prohibiting unwarranted discrimination. However, laws can also create legal barriers in many countries that impede effective HIV/AIDS interventions by penalizing those with HIV/AIDS through criminal sanctions or other policies. As a result, it is recommended globally that laws should facilitate the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS consistent with scientific and public health practices and with a human rights framework. Effective use of existing laws that promote the public's health, and reforms of laws which impede it, contribute to improved individual and communal health outcomes concerning HIV/AIDS.
本文探讨了法律作为一种工具以及潜在障碍，在全球范围内旨在减轻人类免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）/获得性免疫缺陷综合征（AIDS）负面影响的公共卫生干预措施中所起的动态作用。法律在许多方面影响着感染HIV/AIDS（以及有感染风险）的人的生活。法律可能：（1）有助于确保公共卫生当局有权力提供有效的预防和治疗方案；（2）实现感染HIV/AIDS或有感染风险的人的生命权、健康权、工作权、受教育权和财产所有权；（3）通过尊重隐私和禁止无端歧视，保护感染HIV/AIDS的人免受社会风险、耻辱和其他伤害。然而，在许多国家，法律也可能制造法律障碍，通过刑事制裁或其他政策惩罚感染HIV/AIDS的人，从而阻碍有效的HIV/AIDS干预措施。因此，全球建议法律应促进与科学和公共卫生实践以及人权框架相一致的HIV/AIDS预防和治疗。有效利用促进公众健康的现有法律，并改革阻碍公众健康的法律，有助于改善有关HIV/AIDS的个人和社区健康状况。
