Journal articles on the topic 'HIV (Viruses) Law and legislation'

Currently the number of AIDS-related deaths in the United States has reached 311,000 and at least one million more Americans are infected with HIV. Of those one million or more infected, many spread the virus unknowingly as approximately forty percent of those infected have never been tested. More than eighty-five percent of the U.S. population has never been tested for HIV. No cure or vaccine for HIV currently exists.The federal and state governments have set up a patchwork of free and confidential HIV testing at local clinics. States have enacted a variety of legislation concerning HIV testing and test results. Most states have enacted statutes that require informed consent for an HIV test to be conducted. All states require the reporting of AIDS cases, and many also require the reporting of HIV-positive status to state public health departments. Furthermore, many states mandate certain requirements for HIV counseling.

HIV/AIDS remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria, with over three million persons living with the condition. Throughout the history of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, persons living with the condition have faced stigma and discrimination in various areas including access to health services, access to education, access to employment, among others. In the past, because of lacunae in Nigerian law and jurisprudence, it has been the subject of debate whether Nigerians living with HIV/AIDS are adequately protected by law. Recent developments in legislation such as the federal HIV/AIDS Anti-Discrimination Act, 2014 and judicial decisions in 2012 and 2016 on discrimination on the basis of HIV status suggest a positive shift of the law to full protection of the rights of persons living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, particularly in the area of employment. This article provides an analysis of these recent developments in the law and argues that the time has come to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to include health status as a ground upon which one cannot be unduly discriminated against.

South Africa has a very advanced system of anti-discrimination legislation. In the labour law sphere, the relevant legislation includes the Employment Equity Act of 1998, the Labour Relations Act of 1995 and, of course, the Constitution of 1996. This article focuses on two prohibited grounds of discrimination, namely disability and HIV/Aids. HIV/Aids is nearing epidemic proportions in South Africa and its impact on individuals, the economy as well as the general prosperity of the country cannot be denied. Disabled persons constitute one of the designated groups, for purposes of affirmative action, in terms of the Employment Equity Act. Although both direct and indirect unfair discrimination is prohibited in all workplaces in South Africa, such protection has to be implemented and enforced by labour legislation and the courts. This article investigates the success achieved to date in protecting employees in workplaces from both unfair labour practices and unfair discrimination because of their HIV/Aids status or their disability. Job applicants are also protected by anti-discrimination legislation and it has become evident that the constitutional court is not hesitant to come to the assistance of this category. The case of Hoffmann v. SAA (see also Woolworths v. Whitehead) is discussed. The author comes to the conclusion that present anti-discrimination laws provide the courts with ample scope to act as guardian of employees as well as job applicants in this area of law. If the courts adopt an approach that recognises substantive equality, as the constitutional court, if not the labour court, has done, this could assist the community in refraining from unfairly discriminating against certain vulnerable groups in society. This discrimination is, after all, often based on unfounded assumptions and generalisations.

It has been nearly a decade since the first cases of AIDS were reported by the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC). During that time there have been over 200 statutes enacted in every jurisdiction in the country. Unfortunately, the content of the legislation is highly diverse, even inconsistent, from state to state, and there is very little guiding federal legislation or regulation. The profound social, moral and public policy dilemmas that are magnified by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic are still no closer to resolution. Should testing for HIV infection be voluntary, routine or compulsory when there is a higher risk of transmission of HIV? Should America return to traditional moral values of abstinence outside of marriage and zero tolerance of drug use, or should we teach safe sex and use of sterile injection equipment? Should health care professionals maintain strict confidentiality or do they have a duty to protect third parties in imminent danger?

The protection of children as members of a vulnerable group in the society is important as they represent the future of the society. With the grave impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on global development and stability, the United Nations (UN) has, on several occasions acknowledged the need for member states to take a more progressive role in laying down standards which would ensure that the rights of children living with HIV/AIDS are protected. South Africa as a member of the UN has acknowledged the important role which international law plays in the protection of children generally, and those affected by HIV/AIDS specifically. It is the duty of UN member states to ensure that the standards set out in international instruments are applied in their national legislation and policies. South Africa has ratified a number of the international instruments applicable to the protection of children affected by HIV/AIDS. It is therefore required to adjust its national laws to conform to the standards set out in these instruments. This paper looks at the extent to which international law is applicable to addressing the human rights issues facing children affected by HIV/AIDS. It also suggests ways by which the instruments can be employed for the protection of children affected by HIV/AIDS.

Abstract Objective The serological testing of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is mandatory under the blood safety legislation of Pakistan; hence, data exist on the prevalence of HIV in blood donors. However, little is known about the molecular epidemiology of HIV in the blood donor population. Therefore, the current study was designed to study the genetic diversity of HIV-1 infection in a population of apparently healthy treatment-naive blood donors in Islamabad, Pakistan. Material and Methods A total of 85,736 blood donors were tested for HIV by the chemiluminescence immunoassay. All positive donor samples were analyzed for the presence of various HIV genotypes (types and subtypes). Viral ribonucleic acid was extracted from blood samples of HIV positive donors and reverse transcribed into complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA). The cDNA of all positive donors was then analyzed for the presence of various HIV genotypes (types and subtypes) by employing subtype-specific primers in a nested polymerase chain reaction. The amplified products were run on ethidium bromide-stained 2% agarose gel and visualized using a ultraviolet transilluminator. A particular subtype was assigned to a sample if the subtype-specific reaction made a band 20% highly intense compared with the band made by the subtype-independent reaction. Results A total of 85,736 blood donors were screened for the presence of antibodies to HIV. Out of them, 114 were initially found reactive for HIV. The repeat testing resulted in 112 (0.13%) positive donors, 95% confidence interval 0.0014 (0.0011–0.0018). These 112 samples were analyzed for molecular typing of HIV-1. The predominant HIV-1 subtype was A (n = 101) (90.1%) followed by subtype B (n = 11) (9.9%). Conclusion These findings are key to understand the diversified HIV epidemic at the molecular level and should assist public health workers in implementing measures to lessen the further dissemination of these viruses in the country.

The spread of some illnesses between people is almost inevitable and in many circumstances it would be ludicrous to propose attaching any criminal liability. However, in the case of HIV, where successful transmission eventually causes the death of its host, and transmission methods are well known, to grant impunity to those carrying this responsibility is a difficult thing to accept. This article is an examination of the status of English law as it presently stands, where not only are remedies for assault still rooted in Victorian legislation, but also where, crucially, a case decided under Victorian morality has dogged this area of law ever since. At the eleventh hour of writing, the decision in R v Dica has turned the whole discussion upside down; and then there is the question of whether English law actually needs an HIV-specific statute.

People living with HIV/AIDS not only suffer in terms of physical and/or psychological health, but also frequently experience violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Although there are international treaties and a regulatory framework that legally protects people with HIV/AIDS, it is essential to determine the effectiveness of the regulatory framework in Colombia. Therefore, our main goal was to examine the legislation on HIV/AIDS in Colombia with the purpose of understanding the decrees and laws, and describing the main obstacles and barriers that people with HIV/AIDS encounter. For this purpose, we employed the method of legal interpretation and reviewed the legal regulations on HIV/AIDS, as well as the judgments of guardianship of the Constitutional Court. It is verified that there is a specific regulation on HIV/AIDS, specifically decree 559 of 19,991, decree 1543 of 1997, Law 599 of 2000, Law 972 of 2005, and Law 1220 of 2008. Although at the legislative level Colombia shows an evolution in the norm, patients with HIV/AIDS continue to be victims of human rights violations. As a result, and through the analysis of tutela judgments, it was found that the Constitutional Court recognized the violation of rights and ordered the necessary measures to be taken to guarantee the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the defendants.

AbstractAs the ‘Information Society’ emerges, the European economy and its citizens have become dependent on computers and communication networks. However, with the ravages of the viruses MyDoom and MS Blaster still being felt around the world, the vulnerability of computer systems and networks to criminal crime, as well as potentially terrorist activity, is still fresh in our minds. There is no agreed definition of what constitutes a ‘computer crime’. A computer may constitute the instrument of the crime, such as in murder and fraud; the object of the crime, such as the theft of processor chips; or the subject of the crime, such as ‘hacking’ or ‘cracking’. The involvement of computers may challenge traditional criminal concepts, such as fraud, as well as facilitating particular types of crime, such as child pornography. This article is concerned with the computer as the subject of the crime and with laws that have been established to specifically address activities that attack the integrity of computer and communications networks, such as the distribution of computer viruses. This article examines various initiatives to harmonise substantive criminal law to address the threat of computer integrity crimes, focusing specifically on a draft Council Framework Decision on ‘attacks against information systems’. Consideration is given to the impact the Decision may have when transposed into UK law, through an amendment of existing legislation, the Computer Misuse Act 1990.

Financing health care for perons with HIV infection is an increasing burden on states and their taxpayers. The major problems of state policy in the 1990s are how to organize and finance both early detection of infection and preventive drug treatment for persons without symptoms and how to provide a full range of health and social services for infected persons whose life expectancy is unknown. This article first describes the shift in the perceptions of HIV infection from a plague to a chronic disease and the implications of this shift for state government. Then it places the history of financing for health care in the context of general health care financing policy during the past decade. Next it describes the history of state action to finance care for HIV infection, especially the use of of Medicaid Waivers, problems of state financing for expensive prescription drugs, and state initiatives, especially in California, Michigan, New Jersey and New York. Finally, the article presents seven policy questions that states should consider in deciding what, if any, legislation or regulations to enact in order to organize treatment and pay some or all of the costs of care for persons with HIV infection.

Introduction: Surgeons that are working with HIV-infected patients in Ukraine are in a vulnerable state due to the lack of special regulation of this issue in labor, medical law and labor contract, as well as the spread of HIV among the population of the country. The aim of this article is to determine and uncover the content of the rights of surgeons while working with HIV-infected patients in Ukraine. Materials and Methods: The research materials of the rights of the surgeons that are working with HIV-infected patients consist of national legislation, official explanations of the Social Insurance Fund of Ukraine, statistics on HIV infection. The research methods that have been used are cross-sectoral, complex statistical, analysis and synthesis. In order to obtain the results of the research the norms of medical, labor and civil law have been analyzed. Review: The authors of the article have emphasized and described the rights of surgeons that are working with HIV-infected patients. Conclusions: It has been proved that the current system of surgeons’ rights needs to be improved. It has been offered: to establish, at the legislative level, the responsibility of the patient with HIV infection to warn a medical employee about his infection in case of surgery or other medical manipulation that leads to contact with blood or other biological materials; to revise and significantly increase the payment of obligatory insurance of surgeons, if they are infected by a patient with HIV infection.

Introduction/Objectives: Monitoring the residual risk of transfusion-transmitted viral infections is important to evaluate the improvement achieved in the blood donation safety and to adopt policies to reduce risks. The present study calculates the incidence of the key infectious diseases, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) as well as the residual risk of transfusion-transmitted viral infections, during twelve years, 1999 through 2010. Data were analyzed over 3 periods of 4 years (1999-2002, 2003-2006 and 2007-2010). The risk estimates were compared to those previously obtained for blood donations occurred between 1991 and 1998.Material and Methods: The study included 209 640 blood donations, from 42 634 regular, volunteers and unpaid donors. The residual risk of transfusion-transmitted infection per million donations was calculated, for each virus, through mathematical model “Incidence rate/window period”, described by Schreiber et al. All donations were screened according to Portuguese legislation. In January 2001, the nucleic acid testing in minipool was implemented on all blood donations, for screening simultaneously HIV-1 and HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) (Cobas Amplicor Ampliscreen-Roche©). This test was replaced, in January 2007, by the simultaneous screening of HBV deoxyribonucleic acid, HCV RNA and HIV-1/HIV-2 RNA, in minipool (Cobas Taqscreen MPX Test-Roche©).Results: The residual risk of transmitting viral infections during the transfusion of blood components is very small and has declined over the years. After the implementation of the nucleic acid testing in minipool for the three viruses, the risk of giving blood during an infectious window period was estimated as follows: for human immunodeficiency virus, 1 in 1.67 million, for hepatitis C virus 1 in 3.33 million and for hepatitis B virus 1 in 526 000.Conclusions: During the 12 years under study, we found a decrease in residual risk for the three viruses, by a factor around five for human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B virus, and 32 for hepatitis C virus. If we compare the estimates previously calculated for 1991-1998 period to 2007-2010 period (over 20 years), the decrease is still more relevant with a residual risk of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus respectively 19-fold, 6-fold and 54-fold lower.

In the era of global epidemic, the mechanism of HIV transmission still remains a subject of urban legends. HIV-positive patients are stigmatized in all aspects of life, including access to health services, housing, education, and employment. The article covers the legislation and practice that can affect the rights of HIV-positive people in countries that belong to different models of human rights. The author focused on the principle of non-discrimination and its role in the regulation of the rights of HIV-positive citizens. When it comes to human rights in healthcare, the state should have limited "margin of appreciation", especially if there is no international consensus, and response adequately to relevant questions, e.g. about the difference between the legal status of citizens and foreigners. The research objective was to reveal the importance of new scientific data for legislators and law enforcement agencies in different countries. The author believes that an international dialogue could help states to cooperate in order to guarantee people their rights. Public opinion cannot influence the constitutional right on fair treatment.

The systemic consequences of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in South Africa are evident not only in demographic, economic and social trends, but also on a micro- and personal level, where they are devastating. Those infected with HIV are often the target of intense discrimination and discriminatory behaviour including rejection, isolation and violence. It is especially because of these macro- and micro effects associated with HIV/AIDS that the highest regard should be placed on the fundamental rights of infected individuals - specifically the rights to privacy and bodily and psychological integrity - when determining if the disclosure of such persons’ status is necessary and justified. The primary aim of this article is to critically consider and describe the different contexts in which the disclosure of a person’s HIV/AIDS status will be relevant. The position of various role players in the economy, in the criminal justice system and in the healthcare arena will be considered with reference to relevant legislation, case law, guidelines and ethical codes. It will be clear from the discussion that no simple or single right answer exists. A patient-oriented approach sensitive to public health goals and objectives and based on human rights principles is advocated in this article.

Purpose. The purpose of the study is to analyze the basics of current legislation in the field of production of treatment and prevention products from local raw materials and to determine the legal mechanisms for improving the basic principles of positive law in the practical plane of the production process. Methodology. The methodology includes a comprehensive analysis and generalization of existing practical, scientific-theoretical, practical-applied material and the formation of relevant conclusions and proposals. The following methods of scientific cognition were used during the research: dialectical, system-structural, terminological, system-functional, historical, normative-dogmatic, method of generalization. Originality. In the course of the research the health-improving and treatment-and-prophylactic properties of fruit-berry and vegetable powders (concentrates) made according to the developed by scientists of King Daniel University in creative collaboration with scientists of the National Medical University of modern, innovative, universal, waste-free technologies and successfully» іn the village Olesha of Tlumach district. Scientific novelty. In the course of the research it was established that the authors systematized and generalized the levels of legal regulation in the field of production and sale of treatment and prevention products and its use to strengthen the immune system and more effective fight against viruses. Practical importance. The results of research can be used in law-making and law-enforcement activities on the production and sale of health and medical products.

Numerical optimization techniques are useful in solving problems of computing the best inputs for systems described by mathematical models and when the objectives can be stated in a quantitative form. This work concerns the problem of optimizing the drug doses in the treatment of AIDS in terms of achieving a balance between the therapeutic response and the side effects. A mathematical model describing the dynamics of HIV viruses and CD4 cells is used to compute the short term optimal drug doses in the treatments of patients with AIDS by a direct method of optimization using a cost function of Bolza type. The model parameters were fitted to actual published clinical data. In order to simplify the numerical procedures, the control law is expressed as a series and the sub-optimal control is obtained by truncating the higher terms. When the patient reaches a clinically satisfactory state, the LQR - Linear Quadratic Regulator technique is used to determine the long period maintenance doses for the drugs. The doses computed using the LQR technique tend to be smaller than equivalent constant-dose therapy in terms of increase in the counts of CD4+T cells and reduction of the density of free viruses.

Chapter 8 of the South African National Health Act 61 of 2003 (NHA) that deals with the donation of human tissue was promulgated in 2012. The new Act is perceived to impose restrictions on low-risk research involving human remains. This study aimed to identify the issues raised by a research ethics committee (REC) when reviewing protocols where human remains are used as data source. REC minutes from 2009 to 2014 were reviewed, and issues raised by the committee were categorized. In total, 127 protocols submitted to the committee over 6 years involved human remains. Queries relating to science (22.2%) and administration (18.9%) were the most common, whereas queries relating to legal issues constituted only 10.2%. Ethical issues centered on informed consent regarding sensitive topics such as HIV, DNA, and deceased children. The change in legislation did not change the number or type of legal issues identified by the REC.

In the former West Germany, in specific venereal diseases legislation passed in 1953, only syphilis, gonorrhoea, ulcus molle, and lymphogranuloma venereum were defined as venereal diseases and subject to mandatory notification. The proportion of unreported cases was as high as 75% for syphilis and up to 90% for gonorrhoea. Epidemiological data for the past 10 years exist only on selected populations from research studies and are summarized in this article. In the former East Germany reporting of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) was mandatory and, due to the centralized organization, underreporting was considered to be low, although no specific studies have examined this. After the unification in 1990 of the two German states the West German laws were adopted in East Germany. Since 1982 - when the first AIDS case was reported in Germany - information on AIDS cases has voluntarily been collected at the national register at the AIDS Centre of the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin. The law governing the reporting of infectious diseases has recently been revised. Under the new Protection against Infection Act, which became effective on 1 January 2001, clinical diagnoses of STIs (with the exception of hepatitis B) are no longer notifiable diseases. Laboratory reporting of positive test results for Treponema pallidum has been introduced. With T. pallidum and HIV notifications, additional disaggregated data are collected. Since T. pallidum and HIV remain the only notifiable STIs, all other STIs have to be monitored through sentinel surveillance systems. These surveillance systems are currently being established. Under the new legislation, local health authorities have to provide adequate counselling and testing services for STIs, which may be provided free of charge if necessary.

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate is a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor that has activity against the hepatitis B and HIV viruses. Three simple and sensitive extractive spectrophotometric methods have been described for the assay of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate either in pure form or in pharmaceutical formulations. The developed methods involve formation of colored chloroform extractable ion-pair complexes of the drugs with triphenylmethane dyes, namely, bromothymol blue (BTB), bromophenol blue (BPB), and bromocresol purple (BCP) in acidic medium. The extracted complexes showed absorbance maxima between 410 and 415 nm. Beer’s law is obeyed in the concentration ranges 1.5–25, 1.0–25, and 1.25–25 μg mL−1 with BTB, BPB, and BCP, respectively. The effectc of concentration of dye, pH, and interference of excipients have been studied and optimized. The limits of detection and quantification have been determined. All three methods are validated as per the guidelines of ICH. The methods have been applied to the determination of drug in commercial tablets and results of analysis were validated statistically through recovery studies.

This study compares the COVID-19 legal trends among 10 ASEAN countries during March 2020-September 2021. The study is an explanatory project with quantitative approach in comparing the number of legislation in South East Asia. The study aims to obtain a credible quantitative report from the region. The report would be beneficial to future qualitative reasoning when in-depth individual country's pandemic profile is taken into account. The comparison examines the Covid Law Lab database, a joint collaboration between the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law and Georgetown University. Globally, among 4,880 Titles adopted in 192 countries, 1493 (31%) Titles are under the topic of 'movement and distancing restriction', followed by 470 (9%) Titles on 'state of emergency'. In ASEAN, 'movement and distancing restriction' remains the most legislated topic. The Philippines is recorded as the most legislating country in the region (150 Titles), followed by Myanmar (139 Titles) and Indonesia (138 Titles), while the least legislating country is Brunei Darussalam (1 Title). This study finds that COVID-19 legal trends in ASEAN is divergent to some extent from the global picture. Nonetheless, 'movement and distancing restrictions' legal topic is prevalent in the region and has led the 10 countries to its current pandemic situation.

The Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic that has plagued the world has changed the mindset, how to behave and how to act, not only in social interaction but also has influenced the law enforcement system. Development in Information Technology (IT) has found a teleconference system as a means of conducting virtual courts as a reaction to social or physical distancing movements which is one way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Although in practice the use of a virtual court in a trial is considered capable of preventing the spread of viruses, the use of a virtual court must keep be based on applicable laws and regulations. This paper is a normative legal research with legislation approach, case approach, comparative legal approach, and conceptual approach to legal material collected through literature study and then analyzed using grammatical, systematic, and extensive interpretation methods. Based on the results of the study, several countries such as the United Kingdom, China, Australia (New South Wales) and America (New York) and Indonesia (although limited to the examination of witnesses) have applied virtual courts in the justice system. Implementation of the trial using the virtual court method by teleconference did not violate the provisions of the trial set out in the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP). According to the Draft Law KUHAP has accommodated the trial using the virtual court method as an embodiment of legal principles in the judiciary that is carried out quickly, simply, and at a low cost. The use of virtual court is not the first or primary choice in examining criminal cases in Indonesia, in abnormal emergency conditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic as it is today, an examination by the virtual court method is a solution so that the criminal justice system continues to run without reducing the efforts to prevent the spread of the virus. Trials using virtual court facilities continue to accommodate the human rights of victims, witnesses and defendants through their virtual presence so that a fair trial continues in the courtroom.

This is a compact review and analysis of the state of equality law in South Africa . Specific reference is made to what has been called "remedial" or "restitutionary" equality. From the analysis it appears that current equality law shows certain imbalances that are difficult to reconcile with the provisions of the Constitution. To point out shortcomings in equality law which is well intended to resolve the burning problems of inequality, can easily be misunderstood in the contemporary circumstances as a reactionary resistance against a necessary process of a justifiable drive for equality. Such is certainly not the purpose of this review. The intention is however to argue the position that striving for equality must be a balanced process in order to ensure that the boundaries of equality themselves are not transgressed, since that would contradict the very essence of equality. In the first section the constitutional provisions on equality are briefly described. It is noted that the Constitution does not establish "a right to equality", but that it consistently deals with equality as a value. The wording of section 9 does however justify a term such as "the equality right." Next the approach of the judiciary to equality, in which the analytical steps of interpretation that were developed by the Constitutional Court are set out, is reviewed with special mention of the role that has been allocated to the value of human dignity in the interpretation and application of equality rights. In the third section an answer is sought to the question what "equality" means. As opposed to the choice of equality jurisprudence in the USA for a formal notion of equality, the South African courts operate with the concept of substantive equality. It is in this context that mention is made of "remedial or restitutionary equality". Equality is given a meaning which implies action. This is supported partly by the wording of sections 1 and 9(2) of the Constitution, but not by the formulation of sections 7(1), 9(1), 36(1) or 39(1). The only constitutional provision which imparts meaning directly to the notion of equality, is section 9(2), providing that "equality includes the full and equal enjoyment of all rights and freedoms." This gives meaning to equality as a value, to the equality rights and to equality as a description in the Constitution of the nature of the society that is being striven for. The complexity and multi-faceted nature of equality does not allow for a simplistic approach to its meaning. The boundary between equality and inequality is quite sharp and the mobilization of equality for the achievement of political, ideological or pragmatic goals can readily lead to inequality and injustice. Against this background the most important pieces of equality legislation, the Employment Equity Act, 1998 and the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 4 of 2000, are discussed. These Acts were adopted "to promote the achievement of equality, legislative and other measures designed to protect or advance persons, or categories of persons, disadvantaged by unfair discrimination" in terms of section 9(2) of the Constitution. Both however contain provisions that go beyond the scope of the Constitution by e.g. the addition of grounds upon which unfair discrimination is prohibited and by excluding affirmative action measures from the meaning of unfair discrimination. The Constitution can not be interpreted in a manner that would allow unfair discrimination for any purpose. The legislation however seem to disregard the possibility of affirmative action becoming discriminatory in itself. This resonates with the view that "substantive equality" allows for measures "that favour relatively disadvantaged groups at the expense of those who are relatively well off". It is however submitted that not the current ideology behind affirmative action, nor one's preferred understanding of equality or the analytical model that is being used, can determine what the justifiable content of equality law should be: the question is rather what may be justified in law, specifically under the Constitution. The form in which elements of the equality legislation are cast, viz. guidelines for its application and illustrative lists of unfair practices, harbours the danger that uncareful interpreters of the law could be seduced to give precedence to the legislation above the Constitution. This would result in a persecutory application of equality law in terms of examples in stead of the constructive and principled approach required by the Constitution. The equality laws also attempt to extend the list of grounds contained in section 9(3) of the Constitution upon which discrimination is presumed to be unfair by the addition of HIV status, family responsibility, political opinion, socio-economic status, nationality and family status. The constitutionality of amending section 9(3) in this manner by means of ordinary legislation is suspect, especially if it is considered that differentiation which is justifiable under the Constitution may be rendered unfair discrimination under ordinary legislation. It is concluded that an emphasis on only the restitutionary element causes a conceptual tension to occur within the multi-faceted notion of equality. This can not be explained only in terms of the distinction between formal and substantive equality, since an over-emphasis of restitution will inevitably bring about imbalances in the outcome of equality actions, i.e. within the framework of striving for substantive equality. Some commentators, courts and the legislature tend to attempt to improve on the Constitution insofar as the achievement of equality is concerned. It is submitted that such attempts are unnecessary, since the Constitution makes sufficient provision for the restitutionary process while the balance of a comprehensive notion of equality is maintained in the form of equality as core value. The limitation of the concept of equality to restitutionary equality will unjustifiably impoverish and partially neutralize the constitutional text. Lessons must in this regard be learnt from the pre-constitutional errors of positivistic legal interpretation.

Biosolids are a byproduct of sewage treatment that can create synergies and opportunity costs for promoting a circular economy and the nexus approach (water, energy, and food). They enable a cleaner agricultural production, with food safety in local development. The biosolids contain nutrients that can be recycled by agricultural soils. However, they contain heavy metals and few studies report the micropollutants present and the legal requirements of different countries (policies). The present study aimed to contribute to the knowledge of the composition and characteristics of biosolids during four years of monitoring (2016–2019). We investigated the agronomic potential of biosolids in a sequencing batch reactor. The content of biosolids in the crops studied is a potential source of macronutrients, especially N, P, and S. Pathogens fell into class B for Conama 498 (Brazil), Norm 503 (USA), and Directive 86/278 (EU) relative to Escherichia coli and enteric viruses. Metals, also compared with the three previous standards, fulfilled threshold concentrations of the respective legislations. Emerging organic pollutants remained below the detection limit, except naphthalene, which a single time was found in the biosolids above the detection limit. Finally, PCA showed that the chemical elements of the biosolids do not vary significantly relative to changes in tropical climatic conditions (resilience to climate change). Our study confirms the safe biosolids’ agronomic potential in promoting a circular economy in wastewater treatment plants. In line with a cleaner agricultural production in tropical soils, complying with the legislation on micropollutants and reducing the quantity of biosolids sent to landfill, or inadequately disposed of in the environment.

How do political activists begin? What is their motivation? For quiet Greg Weir, just graduated as a trainee school teacher from Kelvin Grove College of Advanced Education in 1976, it was being refused employment by the Queensland government because he was a spokesperson for a gay student support group. Minister for Education Val Bird said in Parliament that ‘student teachers who participated in homosexual and lesbian groups should not assume they would be employed by the Education Department on graduation’. With his future as a teacher destroyed, Greg became one of Queensland's best-known political activists. His cause was taken up by the Australian Union of Students and he became a catalyst in developing awareness of gay and lesbian issues all over Australia. Greg was then employed as a staff member in the office of Senator George Georges and later Senator Bryant Burns, and became a Labor Party activist, influential in the peace, anti-nuclear, education and civil liberties movements in the 1970s and 1980s. He also helped set up HIV/AIDS awareness groups in the 1980s, and went on to become one of the central organisers of the campaign for gay law reform in 1989–90, which culminated in the decriminalisation of male homosexuality in 1990. In 1991 Greg was involved in campaigns to include homosexuality as a category in new antidiscrimination legislation.

Преступность, связанная с незаконным оборотом наркотических средств и психотропных веществ, традиционно занимает достаточно большую долю в общей структуре как национальной, так и международной преступности. Несмотря на принимаемые совместными усилиями правоохранителей разных стран меры, ежегодный наркотрафик демонстрирует стабильную динамику роста. В последние годы размах торговли наркотиками в мире достиг невообразимых масштабов - более 560 млрд долларов в год, что причиняет огромный ущерб экономике стран с высоким уровнем заболевания наркоманией. Государство вынуждено тратить огромные средства на сдерживание наркотизации, что также отнимает силы и ресурсы. Криминологические исследования наркопреступности показывают рост всех показателей, ее характеризующих, как в мире в целом, так и в отдельных странах. Более того, наркотизация общества влечет за собой целый ряд крайне негативных социальных явлений: распространение ВИЧ-инфекции, резкое снижение уровня здоровья населения, моральную деградацию и падение нравственности в обществе и многие другие. Среди наиболее опасных проявлений и тенденций развития современной наркопреступности можно выделить следующие: повсеместное внедрение информационных технологий в нашу жизнь вооружило торговцев наркотиками новыми способами «удаленного» сбыта, а также практически безграничными возможностями по рекламе и продвижению своего преступного «товара»; во-вторых, нельзя не заметить ориентированность наркобизнеса на максимально широкое вовлечение молодежи в наркопотребление. В статье автор проводит анализ конкретных исторических этапов развития уголовного законодательства в части борьбы с незаконным оборотом наркотиков. Crime related to illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances traditionally occupies a fairly large share in the overall structure of both national and international crime. Despite the measures taken by the joint efforts of law enforcement agencies of different countries, the annual drug trafficking shows a stable growth dynamics. In recent years, the scale of drug trafficking in the world has reached unimaginable proportions - more than 560 billion dollars a year-which causes huge damage to the economies of countries with a high level of drug addiction. The State is forced to spend huge amounts of money to curb drug addiction, which also takes away forces and resources. Criminological studies of drug crime show an increase in all indicators that characterize it, both in the world as a whole and in individual countries. Moreover, the narcosis of society entails a number of extremely negative social phenomena: the spread of HIV infection, a sharp decline in the level of public health, moral degradation and a decline in morality in society, and many others. Among the most dangerous manifestations and trends in the development of modern drug crime, the following can be distinguished: the widespread introduction of information technologies into our lives has armed drug traffickers with new ways of «remote» sales, as well as almost limitless opportunities for advertising and promoting their criminal «goods»; secondly, it is impossible not to notice the orientation of the drug business to the widest possible involvement of young people in drug use. In the article, the author analyzes specific historical stages of the development of criminal legislation in the fight against drug trafficking.

The Covid-19 pandemic does bring a variety of phenomena that occurs in the community, ranging from the social, economic, health, and others. One of the phenomena that occurs in the community is in the north Sumatra area. According to the news published, the North Sumatra Regional Police has appointed five employees at PT Kimia Farma Diagnostika as suspects in the case of recycling covid-19 antigen rapid test equipment at Kualanamu Airport.The method which was used in this Scholar Paper was Qualitative Research Method, a kind of Normative Legal Writing which was based on prescriptive library research concerning study of positive law. For the Primary Legal Materials, Scholar used references such as Act Number 8 Year 1999 regarding to Consumer Protection, etc. And for Secondary Legal Material, Scholar uses books, journals, papers, newspapers, and report of legal writing. Then, for Tertiary Legal Materials, Scholar used references such as legal dictionary, dictionary Indonesian-English dictionary and vice versa, etc.Consumer has rights that must be protected from legal perspectives. Law Number 8 of 1999 concerning Consumer Protection Article 1 point (2) states that consumers are every user of goods and or services available in society, whether for the benefit of themselves, family, others, or other living beings and not for trading. It is crystal clear as regulated by our legislation, Consumer Protection must have a guarantee of legal certainty given to consumers in this case is passengers as consumers of covid-19 antigen rapid test equipment recycling does not get guaranteed legal certainty because the Covid-19 antigen rapid test tool they receive is used goods, unhygienic anymore.Try to imagine if the rapid test tool that has been used is used by passengers whose health condition is not good (in a sick condition orcarrying certain viruses or bacteria) and it transmits to the next passenger who uses the recycling of the Covid-19 antigen rapid test tool. No one can guarantee this because it is the act of selling recycling tools rapid test antigen Covid-19 is an illegal act (unlawful or not justified according to the law).Related to this case, the Government should internalize the production and distribution process of the swab tool in order to ensure the quality of its products so as not to defect or used. Moreover, this product is distributed in large quantities and in the pandemic period also so that it must be extra supervision so as not to be misused by irresponsible parties so that points can be met properly.

Abstract Thalassemia Major (TM) represent one of the largest groups requiring regular transfusions lifelong. A total of 3830 patients are currently registered with homozygous b-Thalassemia in Turkey. This study is designated to reveal the seropositivity status of thalassemia patients on chronic transfusion treatment for blood-borne infections. A questionnaire inquiring the demographics and medical history of the patients as well as serological status for hepatitis B, C and HIV, was sent to 12 Thalassemia Centers which are generally settled down in the University or big government hospitals with high capacity blood banks where the packed red cells were provided. The collected data of 999 patients who have regular transfusions of 1–2 Unit red cells, every 3–4 weeks beginning from the first years of life and screened for transfusion transmitted viruses (TTV) 6 monthly was analyzed. The patients were aged between 0–53 years (median 16 years). Overall HBsAg and Anti-HCV positivity were found 2.5% and 12.6% respectively. Confirmed Anti-HIV positivity was 0.2% in the study group and consistent with the low frequency of the disease among blood donors in Turkey. Age distribution of sero-positivity within the patients was as follows: 0.7% in 0–5 years, 17% in 6–10 years, 48.3% in 11–20 years and 34% over 21 years, indicating the strong relation between the sero-prevalence of TTV and transfused blood volume and the gradually increased safety of blood in Turkey. The highest prevalence rate was seen in the age of 11–20 years which also represents highest number of patients. Donated blood screening for HBsAg, anti-HIV 1/2 (since 1985), anti-HCV (since1996), and RPR for syphilis is obliged by law in Turkey. Although, widespread use of HBV vaccination in transfusion dependent patients has been started since 1990s, the data confirmed that this measurement is insufficient alone for eradicating the HBV transmission in this group. Vaccination against HBV has been scheduled routine vaccination program of infancy by the health authority since 1999. However, the positive reflection of this policy in blood safety would be seen in the next generations. In that point of view, vaccination against hepatitis B can be practised in blood donors as a preventive measure in Turkey which is considered as in the middle endemic region regarding hepatitis B infection. Although, Anti-HCV screening in blood donors caused significant decrease in HCV infection, it still represents the main cause of morbidity following cardiomyopathy in this group of patients. This study clearly shows that the threat of TTV infections among multi-transfused thalassemia patients and underlines the importance of strengthen blood donor selection and implementing the sensitive screening assays for TTV at blood centers.

The concepts of “decriminalization” and “legalization” of sex work are defined. Based on a sociological study, the attitudes of the Ukrainian public and sex workers to the potential change in the legal status of sex services in Ukraine is characterized. Authors analyse the public attitude toward the concepts and phenomena of “sex work” and “sex workers”, level of awareness of the population and sex workers about the current legislation in the scope of sex work regulation in Ukraine and the attitude to it, opinions on potential conditions of decriminalization and expected changes as a result of changes in the sex work legal status, level of interest of sex workers in the fact of decriminalization and legalization and their readiness for possible changes. These studies show an utterly predictable contrast between the attitudes, desires and expectations regarding potential changes in the legal status of sex work in Ukraine of the average Ukrainian and a sex worker – from disinclination and rejection of such changes by the first to the unreadiness and possible radiant hopes of the latter. Thus, 51% of Ukrainians oppose the revocation of penalty for the voluntary provision of paid sex services, while 93% of sex workers are interested in the revocation of such penalty. Modelling the situation where the penalty for sex work is revoked, the potential improvements suggested by sex workers are the following: safer working conditions and reduced risks of violence – 74%; the possibility of legal protection from the police – 67%, in court and prosecutor’s office – 64%; reduction of stigma at the level of society – 58%, at the level of self-esteem – 53%; expected reduction in health risks, including HIV/STIs – 49%. The appropriateness to form a public attitude to sex work as a type of entrepreneurial activity, which should be regulated by labour, civil, economic, financial and other branches of law, and to sex workers as those who are entitled to refuse (a client, employer, profession in general), appropriate working conditions and trade union or judicial protection, anonymity, social guarantees and pensions, self-organization, etc. are proved.

The paper is an overview of the themes selected for the main topic of the issue, their relevance and the validity of the research conducted in the journal for the legislation and law enforcement practice in the context of the industrial revolution and the need for greening modern business. In addition, the author explains the editorial board’s choice of the main topic of the next issue of the legal journal of Volgograd State University “LegalConcept = Legal paradigm” under the title “The right to protect human health and an environmentally friendly business environment”. The objective need for the technology development of the intensive involvement of the potential of Russian environmental entrepreneurship in the industrial revolution processes is substantiated. The most important tasks are identified, which are addressed by the developments in the legal regulation of the digitalization processes of environmental entrepreneurship in Russia. The author lists a set of measures that, in the author’s opinion, are of primary importance for ensuring these processes. It is noted that the topic proposed for development is closely related to the formation of scientific and technological foundations that ensure the economic growth and social development of the Russian Federation. The state of scientific and technological progress achieved by modern society is manifested by the widespread use of digital technologies in various areas of production, business management, the provision of services in medicine, the banking sector, and the social sphere. It is proved that comfortable life, the security of the processes through qualitatively new regulatory approaches, the state security, including cybersecurity, overcoming the adverse effects due to natural disasters, as well as the introduction of biotechnology, entailing the appearance of unknown infectious diseases and viruses, preventing man-made disasters – these and many other goals and objectives can’t be achieved now or get a solution without the use of digital information technologies. It is also impossible to ignore the studies of the society and nature interaction, the cross-sectoral impact of modern technology in the field of renewable energy, the turnover of energy resources and energy efficiency improvement on the environment, the life and health of citizens, the public and state institutions designed to participate in the protection of the environment which corresponds to the solution of the specific objectives set in the Strategy for Scientific and Technological Development of the Russian Federation. According to the author, the studies of the dynamics of interaction between the economic and legal institutions in the field of renewable energy development, the turnover of energy resources, and energy efficiency improvement will contribute to the expansion in renewable energy as one of the “green” sectors of the economy.

Problem statement. The main issues that exist in the management of strains of particularly dangerous microorganisms are primarily related to the weakening of state supervision and control. Surprisingly, nowadays, there is no single official register of owners of pathogenic microorganisms and strains of dangerous and especially dangerous infectious diseases. Some biological objects are found, even in private collections. There are no permitting procedures for handling such facilities and sanctions for violating them. That is why it is not surprising that the Prosecutor General’s Office has announced that the head of the State Research and Control Institute of Biotechnology and Microorganism Strains has identified dangerous virus strains that are known as infectious animal pathogens and can spread rapidly on a large scale across national borders. Dual-use studies should be supervised to address the risks arising from the development of biomedical sciences. Continuous monitoring and verification of scientific and technological advances sensitive from the point of view of security allow to minimize the possibility of the adoption of biological and toxic weapons and other risks. Analysis of recent sources and publications. Theoretical issues of legal regulation of activities in the field of circulation of certain groups of drugs containing strains of microorganisms, in particular in vaccination, attract the attention of many researchers. They were studied, in particular by: R.A. Maidanyk, I.Ya. Senyuta, etc. However, the peculiarities of activities in the field of particularly dangerous microorganisms’ strains treatment have been left without due attention of researchers, including specialists in medical law. Formulating Goals. The aim of the work is to study the state of relations in the field of especially dangerous microorganisms’ strains treatment legal regulation in Ukraine, analysis of the current legislation of Ukraine and the practice of its application in this area. There have been used scientific publications of leading experts and current Ukrainian legislation. The research is based on an organic combination of general scientific and special legal research methods. Presenting main material. The main sources of biological threats are: 1) epidemics and outbreaks of infectious human diseases; 2) epizootics (high incidence among animals); 3) epitophytia (spread of infectious plant disease in large areas); 4) accidents at biologically dangerous objects; 5) natural reservoirs of pathogenic microorganisms; 6) transboundary transfer of pathogenic microorganisms, representatives of flora and fauna, dangerous for ecological systems; 7) sabotage at biologically dangerous objects; 8) biological terrorism; 9) the use of biological weapons by the state. It should be noted that the regulatory framework in the field of particularly dangerous microorganisms’ strains treatment in the context of biosafety in Ukraine is fragmentary. Although the list of laws and other regulations governing biosafety and/or biosecurity in Ukraine is impressive. Nowadays, the use of strains of microorganisms is gaining popularity, in particular in agriculture, because they can be used for the needs of veterinary medicine and for the production of certain foods such as yogurt, kefir etc. Therefore, in addition to the basic law, regulation of the use of strains and protection of rights to them is regulated by other acts, in particular the Law of Ukraine “On protection of rights to inventions and utility models”. Namely, in accordance with Part 2 of Art. 6 strains of microorganisms that have been bred or would be bred shall be considered as the objects of the invention. It follows that the owner who invented the strain must certify the authorship and the right to obtain a patent or declaratory patent. However, this procedure, unlike others, is complicated. After all, to obtain a full patent, you need to conduct an appropriate qualification examination, which would establish whether the strain meets the conditions of patentability. Also, in addition to filing an application for the invention of a utility model and obtaining a patent, in accordance with the Law of Ukraine “On Veterinary Medicine” when registering a domestic veterinary immunobiological agent, the applicant must deposit strains of microorganisms in a special collection – depository. There are currently three national depositories in Ukraine, each of which specializes in a specific type: non-pathogenic strains; pathogenic to humans; pathogenic to animals. The procedure of depositing strains of microorganisms is carried out in accordance with the Instruction on the procedure of depositing strains of microorganisms in Ukraine for the purpose of patent procedure, approved by the order № 106/115 of the State Patent and the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine of 26.06.1995. Moreover, in accordance with the Regulations on the National Center for Microorganism Strains and the procedure for depositing microorganism strains, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine regulation № 637 of 07.05.1998, deposit of microorganism strains in Ukraine is carried out by the National Center for Microorganism Strains. Its task is to preserve the production and control of strains of microorganisms, maintain biotechnological indicators, control the state of their population, as well as the preparation of new strains. It is necessary to pay attention to the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine “On Biosafety of Ukraine”, which states that at the moment there is an increase in the negative impact of various biological factors on the population, which may lead to threats of biological origin. The reasons for such plural regulation are: 1) the lack of a program on biosafety and prevention of biological terrorism, no national system of counteraction to possible biothreats; 2) no automated and integrated data banks on possible threats of biological and chemical origin. Funding and logistics for laboratories also remain unsatisfactory. Also, the state supervision and control in the field of biosafety is weakened, namely when the owner of high-risk facilities changes or when there is a risk of unauthorized access to laboratories due to imperfect protection of pathogenic microorganisms and strains of dangerous and especially dangerous infectious diseases, which in turn can lead to the leakage of pathogenic microorganisms into the environment and cause mass infectious disease. In addition, there is a legal gap in the legislation of Ukraine regarding the location and control of viral and biological laboratories by foreign states. However, in almost all European countries, as well as in the United States, domestic law prohibits the placement of such laboratories in these countries, because they are potentially dangerous to the population. The danger behind viral and biological laboratories, even with the strictest observance of all necessary safety rules, is extremely great, because the pathogenic microorganisms of human and animal origin in them are considered potential agents of biological weapons. Although Ukraine ratified the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction of 10 April, 1972, an agreement was signed in 2005 between the US Department of Defense and the Ministry of Health of Ukraine (expired on 31.05.2013) regarding cooperation in the field of prevention of the spread of technologies, pathogens and knowledge that can be used in the development of biological weapons and the US Department of Defense has begun construction of its objects on the territory of our country. At the same time, microbiological laboratories and production facilities are considered to be areas of the highest biological risk. Infecting of persons while working with microorganisms in laboratories is noted throughout the existence of microbiology and is considered as an indisputable confirmation of occupational hazards. In general, there is a wide variety of ways of potential attacks involving bio-toxic weapons and there are several ways to assimilate biotechnologies with their transformation into weapons due to: 1) use of various agents (e.g., bacteria, viruses, fungi, toxins, bioregulators); 2) use against various aims (humans, animals and plants); 3) different scales of application (tactical, strategic); 4) use for various purposes (open or covert war, murder, terrorism or criminal activity). Probably because of this, in 2012 the WHO adopted the Framework Strategy for Laboratory Biorisk Management for 2012-2016, aimed at creating sustainable global, regional and national plans for biological risk management in laboratories. It recognizes that “In accordance with the International Health Regulations (IHR (2005), all participating countries have made a legal commitment to evaluate, develop and maintain their national key oversight, evaluation and response functions”. Conclusions. The current state of legal regulation of relations in the field of strain management requires, given the intersectoral nature of the issue, consideration of the creation of a single intersectoral body for the supervision of hazardous biological objects. Such a body may not only be a licensing body, but also responsible for the introduction of a register of owners of hazardous biological objects that are not economic entities (for example, individual owners of collections of such biological objects). In this paper, it is impractical to consider the circulation of products with GMOs, on the one hand, this issue is perfectly regulated in other special regulations, on the other hand, today there is an issue concerning the treatment of dangerous strains of pathogenic viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms and toxins, as well as poisons of animal and plant origin. For entities engaged in economic activities with pathogenic microorganisms and strains of dangerous infectious diseases, it is advisable to introduce licensing of this type of activity, which requires further development of a bylaw on licensing conditions. For other persons who are the owners of such biological objects and who are not engaged in economic activities, it is necessary to introduce other forms of permit, including special requirements for their handling and storage conditions. The next important bylaw should be the Regulations on the state register of pathogenic microorganisms and strains of dangerous and especially dangerous infectious diseases. Particular attention should be paid to the disposal of hazardous biological objects. Nowadays, for example, there is no effective system for the disposal of vaccines and other immunobiological drugs that have expired (for reference, the shelf life of the flu vaccine is 7-8 months). The cost of recycling is not always profitable for pharmaceutical operators. There are cases when such drugs are falsified by replacing the expiration date, which adversely affect the health of patients. In this context, it can also be mentioned the fact of importing humanitarian aid in Ukraine in the form of a vaccine against measles and rubella (from the Ukrainian diaspora in Canada). The storage temperature of this vaccine was up to minus 48 degrees. After importation into the customs territory of Ukraine, given the shortcomings of customs legislation and the lack of effective control, the temperature regime was not observed. However, the Ministry of Health still carried out compulsory vaccination of children (there were cases of deteriorating health), which is not only negative for the health of children, but also for the very idea of vaccination. In this case, the Ministry of Health, given the interest, was not able to make the right and lawful decision. This is why an independent intersectoral body of state control (supervision) is needed.

Background. Medical secrecy (MS) is a set of information about the disease, its treatment, the results of examinations, which became known to certain healthcare workers (HCW) during their professional activities. The attending physician and the nurse who performs the drug administration are most aware of the patient’s condition. The information included in the MS is divided into two types: medical and personal information of the patient, which became known during the performance of medical professional duties. Objective. To describe selected aspects of the MS problem. Materials and methods. Analysis of the legal framework. Results and discussion. Medical information belongs to professional confidential information and should not be disclosed. Even the information about the very fact of seeking medical care belongs to professional confidential information. Unlawful intentional disclosure of MS by a person to whom it became known in the course of its professional duties entails criminal liability. This applies not only to HCW, but also to other staff of medical institutions. It is possible to provide information about the treatment and even the patient’s stay in the hospital to third parties, including relatives of any degree of kinship, only with the patient’s own consent. Exceptions include cases of extreme urgency, such as when a patient is taken to hospital unconscious and relatives can provide information on existing allergies and comorbidities. Of course, in such cases, the necessary disclosure limits should be followed. If a relative or other person wishes to visit a patient in the hospital, he or she should be contacted in person and visited only with personal consent. With regard to law enforcement officers, the answer to the question of whether a particular patient is treated in this institution should be given only in the presence of criminal proceedings and after resolving this issue with the chief physician. It should be noted that medical information concerning the deceased is also confidential and cannot be disclosed. It should not be assumed that the deceased can no longer be harmed, so any liability will be absent. Disclosure of such information is also a crime, on the basis of which criminal proceedings may be started. Recently, the medical legislation in Ukraine was changed, and as of today, the fine for disclosing MT is over UAH 50,000. When treating patients with disabilities, all necessary information should be provided to their parents or carers. When treating children aged 14-18, it is impossible not to provide information about treatment to parents, although this may be contrary to the wishes of the child. An important issue is the provision of information to children who are incapacitated by age, but legally capable. If a 5-year-old child asks questions about his or her health, a doctor or other HCW must answer them in a form that is accessible. A similar situation occurs with mentally ill patients: they are deprived of legal capacity, but they have the right to know about their health. You should also be very careful in keeping medical records. For example, information on viral infections (hepatitis, HIV/AIDS) should not be placed on the cover of the medical history, but inside. Conclusions. 1. MS information is divided into two types: medical and personal information of the patient. 2. Medical information belongs to professional confidential information and should not be disclosed. 3. It is possible to provide information about the treatment and even the patient’s stay in the hospital to third parties, including relatives, only with the patient’s own consent. 4. In the treatment of patients with disabilities, all necessary information should be provided to the parents or carers.

Background. The issue of legal liability is extremely important for all healthcare workers (HCW). HCW are solely responsible for medical violations during the performance of their professional duties. There is a misconception that in case of non-provision or error in the provision of medical care outside the medical institution, the HCW will be liable. However, this is not always so, as in this case the HCW is considered an ordinary citizen and bears ordinary civil liability. Objective. To describe the legal aspects of MP liability, in particular, during infusion therapy (IT). Materials and methods. Analysis of the legal framework. Results and discussion. The public consciousness has formed the idea of the great responsibility of HCW for human life and health. Unfortunately, in Ukraine, people often do not care about their own health and do not take preventive measures, shifting all responsibility to HCW. Citizens have the right to receive health care and the right for the compensation of improper medical care and damage caused by the actions of the HCW. According to surveys, a lawsuit from a patient is the leading fear of HCW. This fear needs to be reduced, as the doctor and nurse should not be afraid of their patients. According to the objective model of liability, the HCW is guilty of the damage caused to the victim (patient), if the average citizen believes that the actions of HCW were the cause of the unfavorable course of events. This model is often used by domestic media, although in Ukraine it is not enshrined in law. For a long time, criminal liability for medical crimes has dominated Ukraine. Currently, there are criminal, administrative, disciplinary and civil kinds of liability. According to the criminal legislation of Ukraine, criminal liability arises for a crime that contains a crime according to the Criminal Code. Criminal activity contradicts the very essence of medical activity, so special attention is paid to such crimes. It should be noted that the intentional crimes committed by HCW are much less common than crimes of negligence. An important problem is that lawyers do not always understand the specifics of the nature of a medical crime. There are circumstances in which HCW are released from liability for a crime. These circumstances include actions of extreme necessity and actions in risk settings. Extreme necessity often takes place in urgent medical interventions. These circumstances often accompany emergency care in case of accidents, military problems and disasters. IT is often a kind of experiment, because the drugs administered may be perceived differently by the patient, even with a normal previous history. Because treatment is often associated with risk, for example, in case of IT side effects, a nurse who continues to administer the drug on a protocol or off-protocol (subject to consultation with the patient and/or the board of physicians) will not be criminally liable. Similarly, a nurse will not be criminally liable in case of deciding to discontinue IT due to the patient’s deterioration. In such circumstances, the nurse should inform the physician of the situation as soon as possible and eliminate the danger to the patient as soon as possible. Cases in which the damage was caused intentionally for a useful purpose is a separate category of cases. This is most common in chemotherapy and in experimental studies. The HCW should take sufficient, in his opinion, and appropriate to his qualification measures to improve the patient’s condition. Sometimes nurses have to make decisions in time deficit, for example, as for measures for a patient with a psychiatric illness that threatens other people. In such cases, there is also no criminal liability, as the act was committed to save the lives and health of others. Medical crimes are divided into professional and official. The first are directly related to the performance of professional duties (HIV/AIDS, illegal abortion, disclosure of personal information of the patient, violation of the patient’s rights, not providing medical care provision, etc.). It should be noted that the HCW cannot be blamed for not providing medical care if it does not meet his/her qualifications. Conclusions. 1. HCW must know their rights and act for the benefit of patients. 2. Medical crimes are divided into professional and official. 3. There are situations in which HCW are released from criminal liability.

Zambia has within the last two decades enacted several pieces of legislation aimed at enhancing equality in the labour market and the workplace. However, despite being one of the countries that has been severely devastated by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, Zambia does not yet have specific legislation targeted at HIV-related stigma and discrimination in the labour market and workplace. Apart from the general prohibitions against discrimination on the basis of health or social status, it remains to be seen whether concepts such as reasonable accommodation have a place in the fight against discrimination and stigma of HIV/AIDS in the Zambian workplace. The purpose of this article is not to argue for the enactment of HIV/AIDS specific legislation in Zambia but to instead argue that despite the absence of such legislation, HIV/AIDS discrimination and stigma can be addressed within the context of the Country’s existing disability discrimination law. The arguments advanced in this article are considered largely within the context of the Zambian High Court case of Stanley Kingaipe & Another v The Attorney General.

At present, the possibility of the decriminalization of the sex trade enjoys serious consideration by the South African Law Commission. With the spread of HIV still a big concern in South Africa, this article investigates the constitutionality of compelling sex workers to undergo HIV-testing, should the sex trade be decriminalized. This is done by examining existing South African case law and legislation in the field of compulsory HIV-testing. The South African position is followed by a comparative study with Nevada (USA) and Victoria (Australia) where sex work has been practised as a legal occupation for several years. Authors are of the opinion that the legislationof both these countries set a good example for South Africa in combating the spread of HIV through the sex industry, once decriminalized.

The evolution of HIV/AIDS policy and legal frameworks in Nigeria has happened in distinct phases. The first period between 1986 when the first AIDS cases were reported and 1996 was uneventful and generally characterized by a distinct lack of appreciation of the spread and impact of the disease. During the following decade, notable achievements included the institutionalization of multisectoral responses at all levels of government and the introduction of national and sub-national policies and programmes. Comparable breakthroughs have been slow to occur in the legal environment despite evidence of widespread HIV/AIDS discrimination. This article analyses the legal mechanisms for addressing HIV/AIDS discrimination in Nigeria and argues that even with the emergence of HIV/AIDS-specific anti-discrimination legislation, the protection for persons living with or affected by HIV/AIDS is far from being secured.

AbstractAt the sequence level it is hard to describe the complexity of viruses which allows them to challenge host immune system, some for a few weeks and others up to a complete compromise. Paradoxically, viral genomes are both complex and simple. Complex because amino acid mutation rates are very high, and yet viruses remain functional. Simple because they have barely around 10 types of proteins, so viral protein-protein interaction networks are not insightful. In this work we use fine-grained amino acid level information and their evolutionary characteristics obtained from large-scale genomic data to develop a statistical panel, towards the goal of developing quantitative descriptors for the biological complexity of viruses. Networks were constructed from pairwise covariation of amino acids and were statistically analyzed. Three differentiating factors arise: predominantly intra- vs inter-protein covariance relations, the nature of the node degree distribution and network density. Interestingly, the covariance relations were primarily intra-protein in avian influenza and inter-protein in HIV. The degree distributions showed two universality classes: a power-law with exponent −1 in HIV and avian-influenza, random behavior in human flu and dengue. The calculated covariance network density correlates well with the mortality strengths of viruses on the viral-Richter scale. These observations suggest the potential utility of the statistical metrics for describing the covariance patterns in viruses. Our host-virus interaction analysis point to the possibility that host proteins which can interact with multiple viral proteins may be responsible for shaping the inter-protein covariance relations. With the available data, it appears that network density might be a surrogate for the virus Richter scale, however the hypothesis needs a re-examination when large scale complete genome data for more viruses becomes available.

Abstract Background Substandard and Falsified (SF) medical products are a growing global concern. They harm the individual patient, the healthcare system and the economy. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has highlighted contributing factors globally: insufficient national medicine regulation, poor enforcement of existing legislation, weak stakeholder collaboration and the rise of novel viruses, such as the COVID-19. The study aimed to assess the legislative and policy framework and institutional relationships governing pharmaceuticals and anti-counterfeiting strategies. Methods The study was explorative and consisted of two phases. The first phase was between 2016 and 2017. It looked at document analysis (annual reports and press releases from 2011 to 2016) from government institutions involved in medicines regulation and law enforcement for SF seizure reports between 2004 and 2017. The second phase was between 2016 and 2018 through in-depth semi-structured interviews (seven in total) with selected stakeholders. Results First Phase—the data collected and reported by various departments was sporadic and did not always correlate for the same periods indicating, a lack of a central reporting system and stakeholder collaboration. In South Africa, counterfeiting of medicines mainly involves the smuggling of non-registered goods. The most common counterfeit items were painkillers, herbal teas, herbal ointments, while some were medical devices. Furthermore, Customs identified South Africa as a transhipment point for SF infiltration to neighbouring countries with less robust regulatory systems. Second phase—interview transcripts were analysed by thematic coding. These were identified as the adequacy of legislation, institutional capacity, enforcement and post-market surveillance, stakeholder collaboration and information sharing, and public education and awareness. Conclusion Document analysis and interviews indicate that South Africa already has a national drug policy and legislative framework consistent with international law. However, there is no specific pharmaceutical legislation addressing the counterfeiting of medicines. Law enforcement has also been complicated by poor stakeholder engagement and information sharing.

The article is dedicated to the study of the implementation of international norms in the field of cyber security in the national legislation of Ukraine. The information society creates the need to form a new type of intelligence capable of embracing the latest reality of information technology. Technological changes in the 21st century require a change in the unilateral technocratic paradigm. In this context, the topic of the study - the implementation of international standards in the field of cyber security - is relevant. The problems of cyber-attacks are urgent problems for every country in the world through the global digitization of information. These attacks are becoming more frequent. Cybercriminals do not stand still, creating more and more ways to attack and damage cyberspace, improving their viruses and malware. This is especially true for cyber-attacks on the Internet, the consequences of such attacks are unpredictable. Often these consequences are a malfunction of the cyberspace system (internet connection is lost). In the face of external aggression, Ukraine has clear intentions to join Euro-Atlantic and European structures. The multiple threats and dangers are aimed at destabilizing Ukraine. In various countries around the world, the fight against cyber terrorism is the functional responsibility of the intelligence unit and military forces, in order to carry out offensive and defensive actions on the Internet. Cybersecurity issues in the context of global threats lead to the emergence (creation) of new problem-solving mechanisms associated with the invasion of cyberspace on a global scale. The results of the research can be used to further conceptualize the definition of cybersecurity and its impact on Ukrainian law.

The article is devoted to the characterization of phytosanitary legislation of Ukraine through the prism of EU requirements. It is indicated that in Ukraine there is a fairly extensive phytosanitary legislation, based on the Law of Ukraine «On Plant Protection» which contains a legal definition of the basic concept. Based on the analysis of this law, the main features of the legal category «plant protection» are identified and characterized as: systemic, preventive economic and environmental goals, a broad object structure of plant protection relations and protection against biological threats (pests (insects, mites, microorganisms, nematodes) , rodents), pathogens (phytopathogens: viruses, bacteria, fungi), weeds (unwanted vegetation in lands, crops, plantations of crops, which competes with them for light, water, nutrients, and contributes to the spread of pests and diseases )). Particular attention is paid to the characteristics of the basic requirements for plant protection, which are divided into three groups, namely: technological requirements, environmental and legal requirements. It is established that in contrast to the limited and debatable list of rights of agricultural entities in the field of plant protection, the responsibilities of such entities are quite detailed and presented in the article in three groups: responsibilities for independent action; responsibilities for promoting the actions of others; responsibilities for the handling of plant protection products. It was found that the legislator in formulating the general responsibilities of agricultural entities (in the opinion of the author of the article), missed an important obligation to apply integrated plant protection, and this aspect is quite fundamental. Based on the analysis of EU legislation, the idea that the implementation of the principles of integrated pest management should be mandatory, and the implementation of integrated pest management is the growth of healthy crops with minimal possible disturbances in agroecosystems and the promotion of natural pest control mechanisms. Methods of plant protection are considered and characterized. The conclusion is substantiated that the modern integrated system of measures is based on the complex application of agrotechnical, chemical and biological methods of plant protection, where the main criterion is the optimization of the chemical method of protection.

Abstract Background Anti-discrimination regulation is a condition for reaching UNAIDS's “zero discrimination” target. In Serbia, there are laws that forbid discrimination and guarantee the confidentiality of health status. However, about 24% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) had experienced discrimination and most do not report the discrimination to the proper institutions. Methods We conducted qualitative research among PLHIV from December 2018-May 2019. We reached 43 persons, with five focus groups in the four cities where there were centers for HIV treatment. We transcribed and coded the interviews in Serbian and used thematic analysis to explore experiences of discrimination among PLHIV. Results PLHIV are aware of laws protecting the confidentiality of their HIV status and against discrimination. However, PLHIV do not believe implementation of those laws are appropriate. Most participants experienced discrimination in the health system and described that medical doctors demand to know their HIV status. This demand led to unequal treatment of PLHIV patients, and sometimes to non-consensual disclosure of one's HIV status to others. For employed PLHIV regular medical check-ups and eventual hospitalizations introduce an additional risk of discrimination. For sick leave requests by the law they have to submit documents with medical information to their employer and participants feared that HIV status will be a part of the documentation. Some participants described the loss of employment because of this disclosure. Majority of PLHIV fear further disclosure of their HIV status and additional discrimination if they follow complaint procedures. Conclusions Contradictory regulations increase the risk of discrimination of PLHIV. Anticipated stigma and fear of discrimination hinder the full attainment and respect for human rights by PHLIV. Harmonization of regulation and procedures of the anti-discrimination legislation is the first step to the “zero discrimination” target.

ObjectiveAssess the legal framework establishing disease surveillance in Nigeria and identify major factors affecting the performance of the surveillance system.IntroductionThe outbreak of infectious diseases with a propensity to spread across international boundaries is on an upward rise. Such outbreaks can be devastating with significant associated morbidity and mortality. The recent Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in West Africa which spread to Nigeria is an example.(1) Nigeria like several other African countries implements the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) system as its method for achieving the International Health Regulations (IHR). Yet, compliance to the IDSR is questioned. This study seeks to investigate the legal instruments in place and the factors affecting performance of the disease surveillance in the country.MethodsThe study reports the first objective of a larger study to investigate compliance to disease surveillance by private health providers.(2) An investigative search of the literature for legal instruments on disease surveillance in Nigeria was carried out. In addition, key informants were identified and interviewed at the national level and in selected states. The six states in the South-West were identified for an in-depth study. The IHR focal person and the National Health Management Information System officer were interviewed at the national level. The state epidemiologists and the state health management information system (HMIS) officers across the six states were interviewed. Each state has only one state epidemiologist and one HMIS officer as such it was a total sample. In all, 14 key informants were interviewed.ResultsSix legal instruments were identified as seen in table 1. The most recent comprehensive legal instrument on infectious disease control in Nigeria is a 2005 policy on IDSR. This is further supported by the National Health Act of 2014. However, the National Health Act is not detailed for infectious disease control. The substantive law which governs infectious diseases in Nigeria, the Quarantine Act was enacted almost a century ago during the colonial era in 1926. None of the states studied has an active law on infectious disease surveillance as noted by key informants. While all states refer to the IDSR policy, none has formally ratified the document. There are two independent overlapping data collection systems on infectious diseases: the IDSR and the National Health Management Information System (NHMIS). Data on malaria, HIV and tuberculosis are among data collected across the two systems. This was identified by key informants as a problem since the data collection forms differed across systems and almost always result in differing statistics. In addition, this duplication causes overburdening of frontline workers expected to fill the parallel data collection tools and results in inefficiency of the system. Funding of the surveillance system was identified to be inadequate with significant reliance on international partners.ConclusionsA review of the national law on disease surveillance to address emerging global health security challenges is necessary. State legislators need to enact or ratify national laws on infectious disease monitoring and control in their states. The duplication across the NHMIS and the IDSR surveillance system requires harmonization to improve efficiency. Government needs to invest more resources in disease surveillance.References. Makinde OA. As Ebola winds down, Lassa Fever reemerges yet again in West Africa. J Infect Dev Ctries [Internet]. 2016 Feb 28;10(02):199–200. Available from: http://www.jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/81482. Makinde OA, Odimegwu CO. Disease Surveillance by Private Health Providers in Nigeria: A Research Proposal. Online J Public Health Inform [Internet]. 2016 Mar 24;8(1). Available from: http://ojphi.org/ojs/index.php/ojphi/article/view/6554

Abstract According to WHO, transgender people are more likely to suffer from a broad range of health Issues high HIV prevalence, low access to health, discrimination, violence, rejection, unemployement, poverty, housing insecurity, and marginalisation. Structural macho-sexism is one of the main causes not only of violence, but also of lack of protective legislation and policy to this population. Developing research regarding transgender people's life experience in the streets and their pathways to healthcare is of major importance to achieve a more equitable society and public health system. This qualitative research is a chapter of the book “Experiências do Cuidado na Rua” (”Living Care in the Streets”). From the experience of offering care in downtown Campinas to people living in the streets, 2 case reports were selected. The narratives were collected in a field journal. Both participants were female transgenders living in the context of Brazil's Universal Health System. National policy and legislation were confronted with narrative analysis of the participants, to show the barriers to receiving proper and humanistic care. Some narratives show the clear violence suffered from law enforcement personnel: “We used to be beaten by the Police because we were prostituting ourselves”. Others show a transphobic moralistic context: “Last week a transexual had her heart torn here in Campinas, and a Saint image was put in her chest! I'm afraid to walk alone in the streets at night. “Yet others show a clear transphobic and problematic position from the now president Bolsonaro which reflects in transphobic sympathizers in hate speeches: “Nowadays [after presidential election] we hear in the streets 'let's send them to Bolsonaro!'”, as sending someone to the guillotine. The narratives show a clear need of global and local actions towards a more accepting society, and actions must be taken in a broad range of fields, such as human rights legislation, policy and surveillance. Key messages This research show the neglect for the transgender population and the lack of protective measures, which reflects in access to the health care system and actual care. A growth of discrimination and hate speeches directly related to the election of an extremist-right national administration has been observed.

Abstract Background Under repressive policies, sex workers are at disproportionate risk for violence, HIV, and sexually transmitted infections. The decriminalization of sex work between consenting adults provides increased social and health benefits to both sex workers and society at large. Proponents of decriminalization advocate for these added human rights; this is the first research that complements these arguments with a quantifiable economic impact of such a law and a model for future calculations. This research assesses the potential economic consequences of decriminalizing sex work in the District of Columbia (DC) in three areas: (1) income tax revenue, (2) criminal justice system savings, and (3) health sector savings (violence, HIV, gonorrhea, and herpes). Methods An economic model is developed and utilized based on a literature review and records from local and federal agencies. Results The decriminalization of sex work in DC will generate $5,191.61 per sex worker and $2.49 per client annually, plus an additional $20,118.17 in total criminal justice system savings a year. Per sex worker, $4,906.39 will be gained from income tax revenue, and $285.46 will be generated through health sector savings. Per client, decriminalization will generate $0.05, $2.28, and $0.16 from HIV, gonorrhea, and herpes respectively, or $8,311.67 annually after considering the total number of clients. Estimates are reported in 2019 US dollars. Conclusions The potential economic impact of decriminalizing sex work is widespread. In DC, this legislation should be implemented to not only promote the city's human rights but also economic growth. The presented model, in conjunction with a rights-based foundation, should urgently be used by advocates, sex workers, decision-makers, and other researchers. Key messages An economic analysis of a policy to decriminalize sex work in DC demonstrates its widespread economic impact across sectors. The economic model generated in this research should be utilized in other regions to strengthen human rights-based arguments in support of these policies.

The article presents the results of the research on the part of «evergreening patents» in the pharmaceutical market of Ukraine focusing on the daft laws registered in the Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada) of Ukraine. The authors analyse the criteria of patent abuse as obstacles to access to treatment, and analyse the novel initiatives aimed at overcoming such abuse. In particular, it concerns thepatentability's criteria of inventions on pharmaceutical products, the possibility to oppose the applications on inventions by a person whose rights or interests are violated by a patent application and prohibition of patenting substances as the utility models.At the level of the national legislation patent reform was initiated by the Parliament of Ukraine on the first reading by the draft Law of Ukraine «On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine (on Patent Law Reform)» as of October 10, 2019.For the national experts, drafting the mentioned Law, the necessity to provide evergreening research in the field of health care was obvious from the 2014. In 2014 year, the National Academy of Law Sciences of Ukraine in close cooperation with NGO 100 % of Life started the global research — Harmonization of Human Rights and Intellectual Property Rights in the Field of Medicine and Pharmacy. We have to stress that only the evergreening patent research in the pharmaceutical market of Ukraine took near three years. The Research reflects that the gaps of the Ukrainian patent system which causes the possibility to grant evergreening patents have the straight impact on access to vital treatment. The methodology of the research is based on the Guidelines on Examination of the Patent Application in the field of Medicine and Pharmaceuticals based on the recommendations of the WHO and Guidelines for the Examination of Patent Applications Relating to Pharmaceuticals of the UNDP.Thus, the subject of the research is 132 patents covering vital medicines in the field of HIV, hepatitis C, tuberculosis, oncology, rheumatoid arthritis and others. The basis for the research is the followings: the patented single-source medicines, the part of which in the centralized procurements exceeded $ 100,000 in 2017 and the medicines that part of which in hospital and pharmacy procurements exceeded 50 million hryvnia (UAH) in 2017. The research also includes the patented medicines which are or which were not available because of the patent status.

ObjectiveThrough opioid overdose surveillance data briefs, we aim to focus on creating meaningful targeted reports that incorporate mindful “data points” and visualizations for diverse audiences. Data briefs provide information that is actionable to support decision making across the spectrum of partners involved in responding to Tennessee’s opioid epidemic. Additionally, visualizations and reporting of opioid overdose surveillance data create pathways and processes for sharing data and opportunities to collaborate with others’ expertise that enrich communication among multi agency collaborators and interdepartmental partners.IntroductionTennessee has experienced an increase of fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses which has been almost entirely driven by the opioid epidemic1. Increased awareness by medical professionals, new legislation surrounding prescribing practices, and mandatory use of the state’s prescription drug monitoring program has resulted in a decrease of opioid prescriptions and dosages. Paradoxically, emergency department discharges and inpatient hospitalizations due to opioid overdoses have continued to increase. The Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Informatics and Analytics (TDH OIA) has developed visualizations and reports for opioid overdose surveillance data to enhance communication and timely response by health partners. Through opioid overdose surveillance reporting data briefs we aim to focus not on “big data” analytics, but rather meaningfully targeted data briefs that illustrate mindful “data points” and visualizations. These data briefs provide information that is actionable to support decision making across the spectrum of partners involved in responding to Tennessee’s opioid epidemic.MethodsTDH has partnered with state agencies including the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (DMHSAS) and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) as well as internal TDH divisions to foster enhanced opioid response communication. In order to provide a comprehensive yet digestible way to share information we have created two sets of data visualizations that communicate pertinent weekly and monthly opioid overdose trends. A bi-weekly brief contains information from four data sources: Tennessee’s Controlled Substance Monitoring Database which is Tennessee’s prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP); the Drug Overdose Reporting system which contains non-fatal opioid overdoses captured in hospitals’ emergency departments; Vital Records Information System Management which captures fatal drug overdose information; and the Tennessee Incident Based Reporting System which includes opioid and heroin related arrest information. The bi-weekly data brief provides a quick yet inclusive layout of data in an easily consumable manner. A one page front and back layout is divided into four sections, representing each of the four data sources. A nonfatal opioid overdose “counter” displays a year-to-date count of non-fatal opioid overdoses as compared to the previous year.The monthly report follows a slightly different layout, as the report hones in on data pertaining only to non-fatal opioid overdoses reported from hospital emergency departments. A monthly year-to-date count of non-fatal opioid overdoses and counts of non-fatal opioid overdoses by race and age are included in the report, as well as a visualization depicting the number of non-fatal opioid overdoses by month by opioid class. The monthly report also includes a choropleth map that displays non-fatal opioid overdoses by zip code for the reporting month and a heat map of non-fatal opioid overdoses for cumulative 2018.Initial feedback from partners about the visualizations included requests to add footnotes for readers to distinguish the data sources and data limitations, as well as requests to provide enhanced contextual information such as year to date counts, previous year counts, and previous month comparisons. Further visualization discussions included requests to add public health regions as a map overlay, identifying metrics that best illuminate “red flags” or upticks in numbers, and assessing whether to display counts or rates for a given data source.ResultsData briefs and reports are disseminated to TDH leadership, the Office of the State Chief Medical Examiner, the Office of General Counsel, TBI, DMHSAS, regional epidemiologists and the newly formed Opioid Overdose Coordinating Office. These data briefs have been proven to be an effective tool for enhanced communication and responding to the opioid crisis. For example, the TDH Commissioner’s office requested additional information about a county that was consistently ranking high in non-fatal overdoses as illustrated on a data report. The dissemination of data briefs has also strengthened internal TDH partnerships including linking Viral Hepatitis and HIV programs with OIA to develop visualizations that incorporate HCV and HIV data (Hepatitis C Virus; Human Immunodeficiency Virus) with opioid overdose data to better understand and elucidate the syndemic of opioid overdose, HCV, and HIV in Tennessee.The dissemination of data briefs and reports has also been an effective tool for responding to the opioid crisis with our interagency partner, DMHSAS. A DMHSAS team utilized the data briefs to inform how and where to expand an overdose recovery navigator program within the state—a program that provides individuals who have recently overdosed (and are still in the emergency room) with information for treatment and recovery resources. Current work, also in partnership with DMHSAS, has been the creation of a data brief specifically on the topic of harm reduction. The data brief will include a map that shows areas of naloxone distribution to law enforcement agencies throughout the state, as well as a map that illustrates naloxone administration locations by law enforcement officers in the field. Additionally, information on locations of syringe exchange programs will be included in the brief. Members from DMHSAS have provided feedback that they anticipate using the harm reduction brief to assess which remaining law enforcement facilities have not yet on-boarded to receive naloxone, to pin point areas where additional distributions of naloxone might be needed, and identify where supplemental naloxone administration trainings for, either law enforcement or the community, might be targeted.ConclusionsVisualizations have illuminated patterns and “red flags” in geographic areas that have helped guide decision makers in making data-driven decisions about opioid response. Visualizations and reporting of opioid overdose surveillance data has also importantly enriched communication among multi agency collaborators and interdepartmental partners that, until now, have been largely siloed. Pathways and processes for sharing data and opportunities to collaborate with others’ expertise have been strengthened by the dissemination of targeted mindful “data point” briefs over large scale “big data” analytics.ReferencesOffice of Informatics and Analytics, Tennessee Department of Health. Prescription drug overdose program 2018 report: understanding and responding to the opioid epidemic in Tennessee using mortality, morbidity, and prescription data [Internet]. Tennessee Department of Health, 2018. Available from: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/pdo/PDO_2018_Report_02.06.18.pdf.