sexual behavior

Do statutory rape laws affect the incidence of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases?

While states have passed statutory rape laws for a variety of reasons, many of them have viewed these laws, in part, as a mechanism to reduce rates of teenage pregnancy.  This project will explore whether statutory rape laws, and the way in which they are enforced, contribute to a reduction in both teenage pregnancy rates and rates of various sexually transmitted diseases (STD).  The researchers will evaluate the general impact of statutory rape laws while appropriately accounting for the different ways in which states structure their statutory rape provisions.

Grant Number: 68389

Funding Date: Mon, 11/15/2010

Researching Institution: Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR)

Researcher: Matthew Harding, Ph.D.; Michael Frakes, J.D., Ph.D.

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Making healthy choices: What works?

This project will explore how individuals make decisions about: 1) vaccinations, 2) sexual behavior, 3) preventative medication and health habits, 4) medical procedures and treatment, and 5) health insurance coverage. The study will map existing case law and regulations on the presentation of risk-related information, such as the validity and interpretation of waivers and disclaimers and will uncover patterns in choices and preferences building on behavioral insights. Deliverables for this project include journal articles, law briefs, conference presentations, policy briefs and a broader audience book, tentatively titled Healthy Choices: How We Decide About Our Health and Well Being.

Grant Number: 67148

Funding Date: Tue, 12/01/2009

Researching Institution: University of San Diego School of Law

Researcher: Orly Lobel,LL.B., LL.M., S.J.D., On Amir, Ph.D.

Results
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Do HIV disclosure laws reduce infection?

This project will examine the impact of New Jersey’s HIV disclosure laws on 500 HIV+ and 250 “at risk” residents of New Jersey. Measures include participants’ understanding of the law, perceived HIV related stigma, comfort with seropositive status disclosure, HIV testing and sexual behavior.

Grant Number: 67137

Funding Date: Tue, 12/01/2009

Researching Institution: Medical College of Wisconsin, Hyacinth AIDS Foundation

Researcher: Carol L. Galletly, J.D., Ph.D., Axel Torres-Marrero, M.A.

Results

Carol L. Galletly, Laura R. Glasman, Steven D. Pinkerton, and Wayne DiFranceisco. New Jersey's HIV Exposure Law and the HIV-Related Attitudes, Beliefs, and Sexual and Seropositive Status Disclosure Behaviors of Persons Living With HIV. American Journal of Public Health. September 2012, e-View Ahead of Print. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2012.300664

Paper alternatively available via SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2152097

Findings
Fifty-one percent of participants knew about the HIV exposure law. This awareness was not associated with increased sexual abstinence, condom use with most recent partner, or seropositive status disclosure. Contrary to hypotheses, persons who were unaware of the law experienced greater stigma and were less comfortable with positive serostatus disclosure. Criminializing nondisclosure of HIV serostatus does not reduce sexual risk behavior. Although the laws do not appear to increase stigma, they are also not likely to reduce HIV transmission.

Watch an online video teaser of the results: http://youtu.be/DBjIpl7tn5Q

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