His papers and other writings have examined issues of HIV disclosure, privacy and HIV prevention policies, professional socialization, healthcare communication among gay and lesbian patients, and other areas.

The AIDS virus has transformed much of medical care throughout the world in the past quarter century, and will no doubt continue to do so. Approximately 1 million Americans are now HIV infected – one quarter of whom do not know it, and may continue to spread the disease. Worldwide over 40 million people are infected, and up to 50% are in certain African countries.

Here in the US, home HIV test kits have recently been approved by the FDA, and are now sold on the internet and elsewhere. But many are concerned that counseling over the phone for those who learn they are infected, will not be adequate.

Dr. Klitzman's research shows that many HIV infected individuals continue to keep their infection a secret from family members, sexual partners and others. As one man told him, “I told my wife that I'm HIV positive, but I haven't told the other women I sleep with.” Another man said, “I tell my partners that ‘I tested negative for HIV, but that was 2 years ago.' I don't tell them that I then tested positive six months ago.”

Numerous ethical, legal and social challenges face policy makers and all of us today.

For press inquiries, please contact Alex Lyda at mal2133@columbia.edu or 212-305-0820.