Social stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV infection and AIDS patients

Abstract

Background: Social stigma and discrimination are major barriers to an effective national response to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and there have been repeated calls to transform the current surveillance-focused policy. Serious instances of discrimination and clinical service failings increase the urgency and importance of addressing issues relevant to AIDS-related stigma. Yet, progress in achieving effective and people-centered responses to AIDS is insufficient.Current Concepts: Based on a comprehensive multi-sectoral review of a wide range of literature, this article examines the key features of AIDS-related stigma in South Korea and evaluates governmental and organizational efforts to redress them. Three major areas, of issues and possibilities for change, are identified: (1) addressing discrimination in health care settings, (2) decriminalization of HIV transmission, according to the Undetectable=Untransmittable (U=U) principle, (3) improving the quality of life and social inclusion of people living with HIV.Discussion and Conclusion: An extensive examination of existing evidence on AIDS-related stigma, guided by the authors’ long-term experience of public participation and civic empowerment, suggests that by placing these three issues at the center of the national response to AIDS, significant improvement in the AIDS care continuum is achievable. People-centered service delivery models that focus on dismantling structural barriers and incorporating leadership from key populations will enable high-impact public health responses to AIDS and HIV infection.