Course Overview

"As of 1996, an estimated 30.6 million people have been infected with HIV. HIV affects every region of the world. Consequently, the social and legal problems posed by AIDS, and the possible solutions to those problems, must consider the success and failures of various responses to AIDS around the world. Public health policy and law must learn from others and avoid ineffective or counter-productive responses. The overwhelming scope of issues to be discussed on a global level can be understood if one considers the social, legal and policy issues arising in the United States have also arisen in many other countries. HIV affects issues of discrimination, criminal law and prison administration, civil liability, public health, employment and workers benefits, family law, immigration and travel, insurance and government programs, privacy and many other issues." The purpose of this course is to give an introduction to some of the legal issues posed by the AIDS pandemic and to the potential role that law (particularly international human rights law) may play in developing effective responses.