Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. There is significant debate regarding the regulation of the sex industry, with a complex range of cultural, political and social factors influencing regulatory models which vary considerably between and within countries.
This systematic review examined the available evidence on the relationship between different approaches to sex industry regulation in high-income countries, and associated effects on sex worker health status. Objectives included identification of sex worker health outcomes, including sexual health, substance use and experience of stigma and violence. A search was performed electronically in eight scholarly databases which yielded 95 articles which met the criteria for inclusion.
Findings suggested that sex workers in legalised and decriminalized countries demonstrated greater health outcomes, including awareness of health conditions and risk factors. Sex workers are a priority population for public health [ 1 ] and there is growing support for occupational health and safety approaches to support sex worker health [ 2 , 3 , 4 ].
Sex workers may experience vulnerability for a number of health issues, including those related to mental health, sexual health, substance use and interpersonal violence [ 5 ].
A recent study found higher rates of alcohol use, illicit drug use, and experiences of violence amongst sex workers compared to the general population [ 5 ].
