Publications

This report presents the results of three studies conducted from 2003 to 2005 measuring HIV-discrimination in health care in Los Angeles County. Each of the studies used trained testers posing as either patients who were HIV-positive or organizations working with such patients. Testers called the offices of health care providers and asked if they would accept HIV-positive patients. The studies focused on skilled nursing facilities, cosmetic and plastic surgeons, and obstetricians, in order to determine the percentage of providers in each area who had a blanket policy of refusing services to people living with HIV-disease. The testers also gathered some qualitative information about the reasons why health care providers denied services to HIV-positive patients. The three types of health care providers were chosen based on current medical needs of persons living with HIV/AIDS, including nursing care as the HIV-population ages, cosmetic surgery to address the impact of facial wasting, and prenatal care for women living with HIV.

HIV Discrimination in Health Care Services in Los Angeles County