Sex is a topic that is rarely discussed openly in America. Some would say it is an example of moral decency, others might argue that it is just a prudish mentality that we inherited from the early Puritan settlers. Paid sex or prostitution are concepts so at odds with this taboo that they have been declared immoral and illegal. Forty-eight out of fifty states have decided that prostitution should be illegal. At first glance, this widespread ban on prostitution may appear to be an attempt to combat the spread of disease and sexual slavery, but, upon deeper analysis, this claim may not be supported by the facts. Creating a legal and highly regulated form of prostitution in the United States could help slow the rate of spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), reduce the demand for sex slaves, and improve the quality of life for prostitutes already operating in United States and should be implemented despite any moral or ethical objections that some individuals may have. At first glance, legalizing prostitution might not seem like the best method to reduce sexually transmitted diseases, and preserving public health might seem like a legitimate reason for continuing the prostitution ban. However, because current sex workers operate illegally, they may not have the motivation, education, or access to protection needed to practice safe sex, such as condom use and regular medical screening for sexually transmitted diseases. Now let's compare this current situation to a legal alternative that requires frequent and rigorous testing of prostitutes for sexually transmitted diseases. Such a system already exists in the United States. Under the laws established by the Nevada Administration Code (NAC), an individual may engage in prostitution after being licensed to do so… halfway through… a practical approach to improving public health. Works Cited Nevada Administrative Code, Chapter 441A (Communicable Diseases), March 2, 2011. http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NAC/NAC-441A.html#NAC441ASec800Nicole Franck Masenior, Chris Beyer, “The U.S. Anti -Prostitution Pledge: First Amendment challenges and public health priorities.” PLoS Medicine 4.7 (2007): 1158-1160. Web. March 4, 2011. United States. Department of Health and Human Services. “Human Trafficking in and Within the United States: A Review of the Literature.” Study of human health services programs serving victims of human trafficking. Office of the Under Secretary for Planning and Evaluation.Kloer, Amanda. “Atlanta Pimp Locks Woman in Dog Crate for Trying to Escape Prostitution.” March 1, 2011. http://news.change.org/stories/atlanta-pimp-locks-woman-in-dog-cage for-trying-to-escape-prostitution