To End HIV Stigma, We Must Fight a Long History

August 24, 2017Health workers can play a key role in ending discrimination against people who live with HIV.“Because of the lack of education on AIDS, discrimination, fear, panic, and lies surrounded me.” —Ryan WhiteRyan White was diagnosed with AIDS at the age of 13 in Indiana in 1984, following a blood transfusion to treat hemophilia A, his inherited blood disease.It was a time when most people knew little about HIV and AIDS. Ryan and his family experienced overwhelming and ignorant stigma and discrimination. Some feared he might transmit HIV through casual contact, or made stereotyped assumptions about his sexuality, or told him that God was punishing him. The superintendent of his school would not permit him to return, and instead forced him to attend his classes via phone.Education can play a critical role in combatting HIV-related stigma.Ryan and his family fought for his rights. He gave eloquent talks to his classmates, journalists, and the public on television. He became one of the greatest symbols of disseminating unbiased, accurate information on HIV and AIDS nationwide.Ryan lived five years longer than doctors expected, and died at the age of 18 in 1990.Numerous studies have revealed that education can play a critical role in combatting HIV-related stigma. This is true around the world, though the structure and constituents of the stigma vary by geographical region, culture, religion, and other factors that inform populations ’ unique norms and perspectives...
Source: IntraHealth International - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Source Type: news