NCJ Number
118222
Journal
Missouri Law Review Volume: 53 Issue: 4 Dated: (Fall 1988) Pages: 659-669
Date Published
1988
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This article contends that existing Missouri law and resource allocations related to AIDS and other reproductive health matters hamper the ability of reproductive health care providers and educators to prevent the spread of AIDS through heterosexual and perinatal transmission.
Abstract
Reproductive health care providers and educators can prevent the spread of the HIV virus through such services as risk assessment; HIV testing, counseling, and referral; pregnancy prevention and counseling; diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases; and community and patient education about AIDS risk reduction and infection prevention. Missouri's general failure to provide for adequate prevention programs in the area of reproductive health is reflected in the State legislature's failure to appropriate general revenue funds to family planning programs except where required for Federal program match. State officials should realize the importance of funding education and prevention services at Missouri's 100 family planning clinic sites. Provisions of Missouri's AIDS legislation, enacted in 1988, are described. The importance of educating and providing counseling and service resources to pregnant women who test positive for AIDS is emphasized. Education is viewed as the best hope for AIDS prevention. 60 references.