Stigma and Discrimination
Internalized and Externalized
What's the name of the program aimed to reduce internalized stigma?
iENGAGE
What is the relationship between discrimination and risky sexual behaviour in those living with HIV?
Discrimination increases the likelihood of engaging in risky sexual behaviour. (Paz-Bailey et al., 2012; Peretti-Watel et al 2007).
What percentage of medical staff in correctional facilities displayed stigmatizing attitudes toward people living with HIV, especially those with a history of substance use?
42%
What 3 factors were commonly discussed as contributors to worsening HIV stigma?
Race, Gender, and Socioeconomic Status (SES)
What is the theory of the availability heuristic, and how does it relate to HIV discrimination?
Availability heuristic: a mental shortcut where people judge the likelihood of an event based on how easily they can recall similar examples
Media often portrays HIV as a disease closely linked to the LGBTQ+ community, so people overestimate their risk or make generalizations
What is internalized HIV stigma?
Internalized stigma refers to when individuals with HIV adopt society’s negative beliefs about people living with HIV and apply them to themselves(Yigit et al).
In which population groups was the link between discrimination and risky sexual behaviour evident in the study by Peretti-Watel et al., (2007)?
The link was seen among people living with HIV who were infected through heterosexual contact or injection drug use (Peretti-Watel et al).
Name two forms that housing discrimination can take for people living with HIV.
Refusal to rent based on HIV status
Discriminatory lease terms (e.g., higher rents or larger deposits)
Harassment or eviction
Failing to make reasonable accommodations for disabilities
Which term is used to describe ingrained prejudice against black women?
Misogynoir
When was the first case of HIV discovered in Canada, and how did that contribute to discrimination?
1982
The first few cases and reports focused on the LGBTQ+ community. It became hard for people to unlearn that image
How does internalized stigma affect mental health?
It is associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, hopelessness, and lower quality of life(Yigit et al)(Rueda et al).
What are the three assumed behaviours of people that contract HIV that were discussed in the lecture?
Engagement in risky sexual behaviour and numerous sexual partners, injection drug use, and “sexually and morally deviant” behaviours.
Describe the cycle that occurs due to discrimination against people with HIV in healthcare.
1. Healthcare providers show discriminatory actions.
2. People with HIV stop seeking treatment or adhering to their treatments.
3. HIV conditions worsen which impacts the individual and public health efforts to control the spread of HIV.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbate HIV-related discrimination for African, Caribbean, and Black women?
COVID-19 intensified discrimination by increasing racial profiling, healthcare access issues, and isolation for ACB women living with HIV, compounding the stigma tied to their HIV status and deepening mistrust in healthcare systems.
Should there be repercussions for media journalists who report incomplete or biased reports on HIV/AIDs, why or why not?
Answers vary, but students can discuss the impacts of social learning and cognitive biases on discrimination, or argue that each person should be responsible over their own preconceived notions.
Should public health interventions focus more on reducing internalized stigma rather than external stigma? Why or why not?
Answers vary and can discuss the importance of addressing internalized stigma’s effects on individual health vs. the need to tackle systemic and societal stigma first.
Discussion: If fear of discrimination leads people to avoid HIV testing or treatment, what approaches could be used to encourage testing and medication adherence without exacerbating stigma?
Answers vary and can address methods like confidential testing, community-based support programs, or reframing the narrative around HIV to focus on empowerment and health rather than risk.
Discussion: Should anti-stigma programs focus more on systemic changes within institutions rather than public awareness campaigns? Why or why not?
Answers vary but can consider the effectiveness of institutional changes (e.g., enforcing anti-discrimination laws, stigma-reduction training) compared to the impact of public awareness in shifting societal attitudes.
Discuss how you think socioeconomic status influences an individual's likelihood to adhere to HIV treatment plans, and what support systems could improve adherence.
Answers vary: Socioeconomic status influences treatment adherence by impacting access to medication, transportation, and healthcare. Support systems like subsidized healthcare, housing programs, and community-based care can help improve adherence.