Analysis of Logic

Abstract

Public policies are replete with category structures meant to sort and count target populations. This article analyzes categories for HIV risk exposure of U.S. federal policy beneficiaries. Close examination of the category scheme reveals that the categories are not perfectly logical or consistent. Furthermore, changing demographics of the affected population suggests focus should be on differently defined categories. Continued usage of the existing categories may be hindering more effective policy response to the changing demographics of HIV. This article applies Yanow's race and ethnic category analysis in a new context, further illustrating the implications of category definitions in public policies.