Health + Law
A cross-sector partnership to strengthen health justice for people living with HIV and hepatitis B
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Challenge
Across Australia, people living with HIV and hepatitis B experience higher rates of legal issues than the general population. Sixty per cent of clinicians say legal issues interfere with their provision of health care to people living with HIV and hepatitis B. Meanwhile, 50 % say these legal issues have a‘ severe’ negative impact on the healthcare system.
Solution
To support people living with HIV and hepatitis B, Health + Law identifies where there is legal need and designs embedded research-led projects to address the it. This happens through a comprehensive partnership with 27 organisations, including national peak bodies, clinicians and specialist lawyers, building legal capability in the sector.
Health + Law’ s research expands frontline health, justice and community services and forges enduring health-justice partnerships.
Target customers / end-users
• people living with hepatitis B and HIV and their partners, families and communities
• health care and community workers and peers
• lawyers and migration agents who serve clients affected by blood-borne viruses.
Progress
• collected legal experiences from 1000 + people living with blood-borne viruses
• published state and national guides to HIV, hepatitis B and the law
• developed clinical-legal tools for healthcare workers and a national blood-borne virus legal services network.
Research Facility
27 active collaborations
Community co-designed
Cross-sector networks
Healthy Living
The law is a powerful determinant of health. Health + Law is a collaboration between lawyers, healthcare workers, legal researchers and community members. Together, they are working to identify and dismantle barriers to justice, health care and good quality of life for people living with HIV and hepatitis B.
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