This article is part ofHealth Divide: HIV, a destination in our Health Divide series.Xiaoyu Liu / VerywellVerywell Health: How can I overcome the HIV stigma?Dr. Shepherd: When someone has been diagnosed with HIV, it can take time before they are comfortable with their diagnosis and before they can discuss their diagnosis with other people. Even if they do disclose their diagnosis with their friends, families, orpossible partners, it’s a lifelong journey that requires overcoming the stigma that a person might have against themselves.They will also have to confront discrimination from others. That requires trying to avoid falling into a sphere ofdepression, anxiety, or self-shamewhen another person creates an environment of stigma and discrimination.Coping and Living with HIVOvercoming the stigma associated with HIV is a community effort.This is something that everyone needs to be involved in, not just the person with the diagnosis. This is going to be required of healthcare providers, support systems, families, and also society.All of us have the ability to create biases, and we can take steps to minimize the stigma and support people who have this diagnosis. That’s why it’s a community issue and a public health issue.
This article is part ofHealth Divide: HIV, a destination in our Health Divide series.
Xiaoyu Liu / Verywell
Verywell Health: How can I overcome the HIV stigma?
Dr. Shepherd: When someone has been diagnosed with HIV, it can take time before they are comfortable with their diagnosis and before they can discuss their diagnosis with other people. Even if they do disclose their diagnosis with their friends, families, orpossible partners, it’s a lifelong journey that requires overcoming the stigma that a person might have against themselves.
They will also have to confront discrimination from others. That requires trying to avoid falling into a sphere ofdepression, anxiety, or self-shamewhen another person creates an environment of stigma and discrimination.
Coping and Living with HIV
Overcoming the stigma associated with HIV is a community effort.This is something that everyone needs to be involved in, not just the person with the diagnosis. This is going to be required of healthcare providers, support systems, families, and also society.
All of us have the ability to create biases, and we can take steps to minimize the stigma and support people who have this diagnosis. That’s why it’s a community issue and a public health issue.
1 SourceVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pulerwitz J, Michaelis A, Weiss E, Brown L, Mahendra V.Reducing HIV-related stigma: lessons learned from Horizons research and programs.Public Health Rep. 2010;125(2):272-281. doi:10.1177/003335491012500218
1 Source
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pulerwitz J, Michaelis A, Weiss E, Brown L, Mahendra V.Reducing HIV-related stigma: lessons learned from Horizons research and programs.Public Health Rep. 2010;125(2):272-281. doi:10.1177/003335491012500218
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Pulerwitz J, Michaelis A, Weiss E, Brown L, Mahendra V.Reducing HIV-related stigma: lessons learned from Horizons research and programs.Public Health Rep. 2010;125(2):272-281. doi:10.1177/003335491012500218
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