Adult Industry Medical Health Care Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Adult Industry Medical Associates P.C. (formally Adult Industry Medical Health Care Foundation), also known simply as AIM or AIM Medical, was an organization that tested erotic actors for HIV
and other STD
s on a scheduled basis.
Most tests for the sex industry actors are done at the Foundation's offices in San Fernando Valley
, Sherman Oaks and Granada Hills. Each month, about 1,200 actors are tested for HIV, with results as early as 14 days after infection. This test is effective 10 days after potential infection, and anytime thereafter (HIV-1 DNA
, by PCR) as compared to the alternative HIV test (HIV ELISA) which requires a six-month waiting period to be effective. Other tests include such STDs as chlamydia, gonorrhea
and syphilis
.
, outbreaks of HIV/AIDS
within the community of erotic actors have caused a number of deaths. In response to this threat AIM was founded in 1998 by former adult entertainer Dr. Sharon Mitchell
, who had left the industry in 1996 to qualify in public health counseling and sexology
.Sharon Mitchell — Well-behaved women rarely make history
}}
The Foundation has helped set up a system in the U.S.
where erotic actors in the adult film industry are tested for AIDS every 30 days. All on-camera sexual contact is logged, and a positive test result triggers the contacting and re-testing of all sexual partners during the previous three to six months. The Foundation provides secure means of sharing results via their web servers so that results cannot be forged. Prior to AIM, there had been STD testing programs in lifestyle communities including Kerista Commune, Rajneeshpuram
, More University. These approaches had mixed results and were less systematic and regular.
Also, with secure online access to test results, faking of paper test results is prevented, since clients can select to privately share the results with others, as appropriate, online or by email and mobile phone.
transmission, and hence low rates of infection, among erotic actors: reportedly, not a single HIV test in an active adult industry performer had been positive in the four-year period prior to 2004.
It was in 2004 that AIM assisted in the sex-film-industry shutdown, a quarantine that lasted fewer than 60 days. A male performer, Darren James
, had tested positive for HIV in April and, to prevent another HIV outbreak, an urgent search was initiated for his potentially infected partners. A total of four more performers, Bianca Biaggi, Jessica Dee, Lara Roxx
, and Miss Arroyo were diagnosed with the virus by the end of the testing rounds, including one unrelated case in New York. James had apparently had contact with 12 women since his initial negative HIV test in March upon his return from a Brazil
ian film shoot.
In 2009, the Los Angeles Public Health department and the Los Angeles Times claimed that there were 16 unreported cases of HIV among adult film actors. AIM Health Care Foundation reported that these cases were actually members of the general public or people applying to work in the adult film industry that had not yet actually worked in films due to their initial test being positive.
On October 12, 2010, the Foundation reported that an actor or actress have been infected with HIV. The name and gender of the person was not released to the public. Vivid Entertainment
and Wicked Pictures
shut down porn production temporarily to avoid infection of the virus. Although Wicked Pictures
has a mandatory condom policy, the company is shutting down to wait for the quarantine
list.
is presumably the source of a massive 2011 data leak containing the confidential personal information, including the real names
and sexually transmitted diseases, of over 12,000 pornographic actors. Compromised patient information is posted on the controversial website Porn Wikileaks
.
AIM closed its offices and filed for bankruptcy in May 2011. A privacy lawsuit challenging AIM's handling of the patient records in light of Porn Wikileaks was the last straw for the clinic.
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
and other STD
Sexually transmitted disease
Sexually transmitted disease , also known as a sexually transmitted infection or venereal disease , is an illness that has a significant probability of transmission between humans by means of human sexual behavior, including vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and anal sex...
s on a scheduled basis.
Most tests for the sex industry actors are done at the Foundation's offices in San Fernando Valley
San Fernando Valley
The San Fernando Valley is an urbanized valley located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area of southern California, United States, defined by the dramatic mountains of the Transverse Ranges circling it...
, Sherman Oaks and Granada Hills. Each month, about 1,200 actors are tested for HIV, with results as early as 14 days after infection. This test is effective 10 days after potential infection, and anytime thereafter (HIV-1 DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
, by PCR) as compared to the alternative HIV test (HIV ELISA) which requires a six-month waiting period to be effective. Other tests include such STDs as chlamydia, gonorrhea
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The usual symptoms in men are burning with urination and penile discharge. Women, on the other hand, are asymptomatic half the time or have vaginal discharge and pelvic pain...
and syphilis
Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. The primary route of transmission is through sexual contact; however, it may also be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy or at birth, resulting in congenital syphilis...
.
Background
Since the 1980s1980s
File:1980s decade montage.png|thumb|400px|From left, clockwise: The first Space Shuttle, Columbia, lifted off in 1981; American President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev eased tensions between the two superpowers, leading to the end of the Cold War; The Fall of the Berlin Wall in...
, outbreaks of HIV/AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
within the community of erotic actors have caused a number of deaths. In response to this threat AIM was founded in 1998 by former adult entertainer Dr. Sharon Mitchell
Sharon Mitchell
Sharon Mitchell is a former erotic actress, with a pornography career spanning over two decades.- Adult film career :...
, who had left the industry in 1996 to qualify in public health counseling and sexology
Sexology
Sexology is the scientific study of human sexuality, including human sexual interests, behavior, and function. The term does not generally refer to the non-scientific study of sex, such as political analysis or social criticism....
.Sharon Mitchell — Well-behaved women rarely make history
}}
The Foundation has helped set up a system in the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
where erotic actors in the adult film industry are tested for AIDS every 30 days. All on-camera sexual contact is logged, and a positive test result triggers the contacting and re-testing of all sexual partners during the previous three to six months. The Foundation provides secure means of sharing results via their web servers so that results cannot be forged. Prior to AIM, there had been STD testing programs in lifestyle communities including Kerista Commune, Rajneeshpuram
Rajneeshpuram
Rajneeshpuram, Oregon was an intentional community in Wasco County, Oregon, briefly incorporated as a city in the 1980s, which was populated with followers of the spiritual teacher Osho, then known as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh.- History :...
, More University. These approaches had mixed results and were less systematic and regular.
SxCheck
Since 2006, AIM offers online services for selecting, scheduling, and paying for tests in affiliation with local clinics and laboratories in many cities via the SxCheck (alternatively AIM Check)website.Also, with secure online access to test results, faking of paper test results is prevented, since clients can select to privately share the results with others, as appropriate, online or by email and mobile phone.
History
This system has resulted in low rates of HIVHIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
transmission, and hence low rates of infection, among erotic actors: reportedly, not a single HIV test in an active adult industry performer had been positive in the four-year period prior to 2004.
It was in 2004 that AIM assisted in the sex-film-industry shutdown, a quarantine that lasted fewer than 60 days. A male performer, Darren James
Darren James
Darren James is an American former pornographic actor who made worldwide headlines after testing positive for HIV.James tested positive on April 13, 2004...
, had tested positive for HIV in April and, to prevent another HIV outbreak, an urgent search was initiated for his potentially infected partners. A total of four more performers, Bianca Biaggi, Jessica Dee, Lara Roxx
Lara Roxx
Lara Roxx was the stage name of a Montreal, Quebec-born Canadian, former porn actress who, in March 2004, became the first known individual in four years to allegedly contract HIV while making a US porn video.-Career:...
, and Miss Arroyo were diagnosed with the virus by the end of the testing rounds, including one unrelated case in New York. James had apparently had contact with 12 women since his initial negative HIV test in March upon his return from a Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian film shoot.
In 2009, the Los Angeles Public Health department and the Los Angeles Times claimed that there were 16 unreported cases of HIV among adult film actors. AIM Health Care Foundation reported that these cases were actually members of the general public or people applying to work in the adult film industry that had not yet actually worked in films due to their initial test being positive.
On October 12, 2010, the Foundation reported that an actor or actress have been infected with HIV. The name and gender of the person was not released to the public. Vivid Entertainment
Vivid Entertainment
Vivid Entertainment Group is an adult video producer, featuring a catalog of VHS and DVD titles and internet content. In 2006 it was described by Reuters as one of the handful of studios that dominate the U.S. porn industry....
and Wicked Pictures
Wicked Pictures
Wicked Pictures is an American pornographic movie studio headquartered in Canoga Park, California. In 2006 it was described by Reuters as one of the handful of studios that dominate the U.S. porn industry...
shut down porn production temporarily to avoid infection of the virus. Although Wicked Pictures
Wicked Pictures
Wicked Pictures is an American pornographic movie studio headquartered in Canoga Park, California. In 2006 it was described by Reuters as one of the handful of studios that dominate the U.S. porn industry...
has a mandatory condom policy, the company is shutting down to wait for the quarantine
Quarantine
Quarantine is compulsory isolation, typically to contain the spread of something considered dangerous, often but not always disease. The word comes from the Italian quarantena, meaning forty-day period....
list.
Patient database breach
AIM Medical's patient databaseDatabase
A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
is presumably the source of a massive 2011 data leak containing the confidential personal information, including the real names
Personal name
A personal name is the proper name identifying an individual person, and today usually comprises a given name bestowed at birth or at a young age plus a surname. It is nearly universal for a human to have a name; except in rare cases, for example feral children growing up in isolation, or infants...
and sexually transmitted diseases, of over 12,000 pornographic actors. Compromised patient information is posted on the controversial website Porn Wikileaks
Porn Wikileaks
Porn Wikileaks is a controversial wiki website about porn stars and the porn industry. It contains the claimed personal information, including the real names, of over 15,000 pornographic actors...
.
AIM closed its offices and filed for bankruptcy in May 2011. A privacy lawsuit challenging AIM's handling of the patient records in light of Porn Wikileaks was the last straw for the clinic.
See also
- AIDS in the pornographic film industryAIDS in the pornographic film industryThe transmission of AIDS in the pornographic film industry has become a major cause of concern for pornographic film directors and actors since the 1980s.-1980s outbreak:...
- AIDS test
- ELISAELISAEnzyme-linked immunosorbent assay , is a popular format of a "wet-lab" type analytic biochemistry assay that uses one sub-type of heterogeneous, solid-phase enzyme immunoassay to detect the presence of a substance in a liquid sample."Wet lab" analytic biochemistry assays involves detection of an...
- PCRPolymerase chain reactionThe polymerase chain reaction is a scientific technique in molecular biology to amplify a single or a few copies of a piece of DNA across several orders of magnitude, generating thousands to millions of copies of a particular DNA sequence....
External links
- Official website at AIM
- Reference Library at AIM
- Granada Hills, CA AIM office
- Sherman Oaks, CA AIM office
- SxCheck STD and HIV testing facilitator website service