Citation

Meehan TM, Cranston K. Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Education for Adolescents and Children 1999; 3(1-2): 79-98.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999)

DOI

10.1300/J129v03n01_08

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article will examine the concept of minors' legal rights and their relationship to HIV prevention, HIV counseling and testing, and the treatment of HIV infection. The legal concept of minors' rights being equal to adults' legal rights has emerged in the last three decades. Parallel to this emergence is the changing nature of child/adolescent morbidity and mortality. Significant increases in rates of suicide, drug use, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), violent crimes, and births to single adolescent mothers have occurred over the same time period. More recently, there has been a rapid increase in the number of reported AIDS cases in the adolescent age group (13-19 years), which includes minors. It could be argued that this reflects a society in which minors practice behaviors more characteristic of adults. If so, a right to access services related to these behaviors should be granted to minors, specifically as they relate to HIV infection.

Language: en

Keywords

AIDS; antivirus agent; clinical trial; HIV; human; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; infection prevention; legal aspect; Legal issues; Minors; patient counseling; patient right; Prevention; review; sexually transmitted disease; Testing; Treatment