Criminal Prosecution and HIV-related Risky Behavior

Adeline Delavande (), Dana Goldman and Neeraj Sood

No 12903, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: We evaluate the consequences of prosecuting HIV+ people who expose others to the risk of infection. We show that the effect of aggressive prosecutions on the spread of HIV is a priori ambiguous. Aggressive prosecutions tax risky behavior and thus deter unsafe sex and limit the number of sexual partners. However, such penalties might also create unique incentives for having sex with more promiscuous partners such as prostitutes and consequently increase the spread of HIV. We test these predictions using unique nationally representative data on the sexual activity and prosecutions of HIV+ persons. We find that more aggressive prosecutions are associated with a reduction in the number of sexual partners and increased likelihood of safe sex. However, they are also associated with increased likelihood of having sex with prostitutes and not disclosing HIV+ status. Overall, our estimates imply that doubling the prosecution rate could decrease the number of new HIV infections by 12% over a ten-year period.

JEL-codes: I1 I18 K14 K42 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2007-02
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-law
Note: EH
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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