Discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS

Discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS or serophobia is the prejudice, fear, rejection, and stigmatization of people with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV people living with HIV/AIDS). Marginalized, at-risk groups such as members of the LGBTQ+ community, intravenous drug users, and sex workers are most vulnerable to facing HIV/AIDS discrimination. The consequences of societal stigma against PLHIV are quite severe, as HIV/AIDS discrimination actively hinders access to HIV/AIDS screening and care around the world.[1] Moreover, these negative stigmas become used against members of the LGBTQ+ community in the form of stereotypes held by physicians.[2]

HIV/AIDS discrimination takes many forms such as blood donation restrictions on at-risk populations, compulsory HIV testing without prior consent, violations of confidentiality within healthcare settings, and targeted violence against persons living with HIV. While current conversations tend to center around HIV/AIDS in the United States, the disease is a global issue.[3] Although disability laws within many countries prohibit HIV/AIDS discrimination in housing, employment, and access to health/social services, HIV-positive individuals around the world still experience instances of stigma and abuse.[4] Overall, pervasive HIV/AIDS discrimination leads to low turn-out for HIV counseling and testing, identity crises, isolation, loneliness, low self-esteem, and a lack of interest in containing the disease.[5] Additionally, violent acts against HIV-infected individuals or people who are perceived to be infected with HIV can severely shut down the advancement of treatment in response to the progression of the disease.[6]

  1. ^ Mahajan AP, Sayles JN, Patel VA, Remien RH, Sawires SR, Ortiz DJ, et al. (August 2008). "Stigma in the HIV/AIDS epidemic: a review of the literature and recommendations for the way forward". AIDS. 22 (Suppl 2): S67-79. doi:10.1097/01.aids.0000327438.13291.62. PMC 2835402. PMID 18641472.
  2. ^ Stringer, Kristi L.; Turan, Bulent; McCormick, Lisa; Durojaiye, Modupeoluwa; Nyblade, Laura; Kempf, Mirjam-Colette; Lichtenstein, Bronwen; Turan, Janet M. (2016). "HIV-Related Stigma Among Healthcare Providers in the Deep South". AIDS and Behavior. 20 (1): 115–125. doi:10.1007/s10461-015-1256-y. ISSN 1090-7165. PMC 4718797. PMID 26650383.
  3. ^ Swinkels, Helena M.; Justiz Vaillant, Angel A.; Nguyen, Andrew D.; Gulick, Peter G. (2025), "HIV and AIDS", StatPearls, Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, PMID 30521281, retrieved 2025-02-28
  4. ^ "Civil Rights". HIV.gov. 2017-11-10. Retrieved 2018-04-10.
  5. ^ Parker R, Aggleton P (July 2003). "HIV and AIDS-related stigma and discrimination: a conceptual framework and implications for action". Social Science & Medicine. 57 (1): 13–24. doi:10.1016/S0277-9536(02)00304-0. PMID 12753813.
  6. ^ "Violence Against Women and HIV/AIDS: Critical Intersections. Intimate Partner Violence and HIV/AIDS" (PDF). World Health Organization. 2004.

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