DEFINING AND MEASURING THE COSTS OF THE HIV EPIDEMIC TO BUSINESS FIRMS

Most published estimates of the costs of the epidemic of human immunod eficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have been developed from the societal perspective, attempting to measure the burden of the epidemic to society in this country. Alth ough societal cost analysis is well-developed, relatively little is kn own about many of the factors influencing the costs of the epidemic to business firms. The business community may bear a substantial portion of those costs in the form of health-related benefits provided to wor kers. Other effects of the epidemic in the workplace are related to fe ars and stigma associated with the illness. The author compares framew orks for analyzing the costs of the epidemic to the business community and to society. Societal costs include direct costs, the resources us ed in providing health care, and indirect costs, the resources lost to society as a result of the epidemic. Costs to business include illnes s-based employment costs, legal or administrative costs, prevention co sts, perception-based employment costs, care giver costs, and nonmonet ary costs. Not all societal costs are borne by business, and businesse s may incur costs that are not traditionally measured from the societa l perspective.