Tackling Stigma

Sadly, stigma around health conditions remains a part of many patients ’ lives. Many will not disclose a diagnosis for fear of being judged by peers, employers, health professionals, colleagues and wider society. In fact, there is clear evidence that such negative societal attitudes impact health outcomes, resulting in diagnosis delays and impaired treatment.Some diseases are heavily stigmatized – including mental health, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and some skin conditions – leading people to restrict their participation in society, impairing their chances of living happy, healthy lives.However, to one extent or another, all patients suffer negative attitudes towards their condition, creating challenges not faced by ‘healthy’ members of the population. Stigma is embedded right across society, even affecting issues such as policy and research, where certain disease areas receive more funding than others. A clear example was highlighted in a InVentiv report from last year, which found the National Cancer Inst itute’s annual budget to be more than three times that of the National Institute of Mental Health, despite a larger number of people living with mental health issues in the US (43.6 million compared 15.5 million cancer survivors).Work to tackle stigma towards health conditions is widespread among patient organizations but pharma too has a role to play in educating the public and changing attitudes.Sex, drugs and rock ’n’rollThe AIDS epidemic of the 1980s instilled...

Source: EyeForPharma - July 17, 2018 Category: Pharmaceuticals Authors: Lucy Fulford Source Type: news