Summary
The quantity of literature available on HIV/AIDS-related stigma differs substantially by topic area. For example, a significant number of articles are available on the evolution of HIV/AIDS stigma, and on policy- related and legal initiatives for addressing it. However, we found that much less material is available on programmatic solutions. This finding is disheartening given providers’ need for examples of practical, real-world interventions to decrease HIV/AIDS-related stigma.
The participation of a few key leaders often propels research in many HIV/AIDS-related fields. The study of HIV/AIDS-related stigma is no exception. Gregory M. Herek, Ph.D., is generally recognized as a leader in the field, and his works are referenced in many of the articles we discuss.
The existence of HIV/AIDS-related stigma has been widely documented. In a comparison of two studies conducted among similar samples, the proportion of the U.S. population that harbored HIV/AIDS-related stigma increased from 20.5 percent in 1991 to about 28.8 percent in 1997. However, a more recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study found a somewhat lower percentage of people who harbor HIV/AIDS-related stigma (18.1 percent).
Stigma related to HIV/AIDS appears to be more severe than that associated with other life-threatening conditions. It also extends beyond the disease itself to providers and even volunteers involved with the care of people living with HIV disease. Often, HIV/AIDS-related stigma is expressed in conjunction with one or more other stigmas, particularly those associated with homosexuality, bisexuality, and injection drug use. People with certain religious beliefs and less educated people may be more likely to harbor HIV/AIDS- related stigma.
HIV/AIDS-related stigma compromises the well-being of people living with the disease. Stigmatized individuals may suffer discrimination that can lead to loss of employment and housing, estrangement from family and society, and even increased risk of violence. HIV/AIDS-related stigma also fuels new HIV infections because it can deter people from getting tested for the disease, make them less likely to acknowledge their risk of infection, and discourage those who are HIV-positive from discussing their HIV status with their sexual and needle-sharing partners.
Efforts to address HIV/AIDS-related stigma have focused on three arenas: programmatic, legal, and policy. The literature on effective interventions is skewed to the legal arena; a comparatively small amount of material is available on community-based interventions.
