How can I help fight HIV stigma?

HIV stigma remains a major issue, affecting people’s health, confidence, and access to essential treatment and support. The good news? We all have the power to help stop it. Stigma occurs when people hold negative attitudes about HIV or treat those living with the virus unfairly. Sometimes, we contribute to stigma without even realising it. This might be through the words we use, the jokes we tell, or the assumptions we make. That’s why understanding what HIV stigma looks like and how it impacts people’s lives is the first step we all need to take to end it.

What does HIV stigma look like?

HIV stigma refers to  negative attitudes towards or unfair judgements about people living with HIV or people from groups linked to HIV. This can include gay or transgender people, people who use drugs, or even just young people who are sexually active. HIV stigma can happen anywhere – at home, at work, at school, in church, and in healthcare settings.  A recent global study from the People Living with HIV Stigma Index found that nearly one in four people living with HIV have experienced discrimination in healthcare settings. In some cases, they are denied services altogether. This kind of stigma can stop people from getting the care, treatment and support they need, making it even harder to manage their health. Research like the HIV Stigma Index helps us understand these experiences and find better ways to challenge stigma.

HIV stigma isn’t always obvious. It can be direct, such as outright discrimination, or indirect, like a casual remark that reinforces negative stereotypes. You might contribute to stigma without realising it, but whether intentional or not, the impact is the same – people living with HIV feel judged, excluded, or afraid to seek the support they need.

Here are some key types of HIV stigma:

• Social stigma – This happens in personal relationships, whether with family, friends, classmates, or co-workers. It could be refusing to share utensils with someone who has HIV, spreading rumors about their health, or making insensitive jokes. Even avoiding conversations about HIV can contribute to stigma by reinforcing the idea that it’s something shameful.
• Organisational stigma – This may take the form of discrimination in hiring in a workplace, expelling students based on their HIV status from a school, or religious leaders preaching negative messages about people with HIV. In healthcare settings, stigma might look like doctors or nurses treating patients differently, breaching their confidentiality, or refusing to provide services altogether.
• Structural stigma – Laws and policies can reinforce HIV stigma by creating barriers to healthcare, employment, and social services. Some countries still have travel restrictions on people living with HIV, and in certain places, laws criminalise people for not sharing their HIV positive status. These policies contribute to fear, isolation, and reluctance to get tested or seek treatment.
• Self-stigma – Sometimes, people living with HIV internalise the negative beliefs and stereotypes they hear from society. This can lead to feelings of shame, guilt, or unworthiness, preventing them from seeking treatment, sharing their status, or engaging in relationships. Self-stigma can be one of the most damaging forms of stigma because it affects a person’s mental health and overall well-being.

How does HIV stigma hurt people?

If you are living with HIV, HIV stigma can have a lasting impact on your mental and physical health. It can affect how you relate to others and yourself, can mean you feel more isolated, and may make it harder and even stop you from taking treatment because you don’t have the support you need or you are afraid that others may discover your status. 

Stigma may put some people off getting tested for HIV and using prevention methods such as condoms and PrEP. This puts more people’s health at risk and ultimately means we are further from ending HIV. 

Are you adding to HIV stigma?

You might not realise it, but the way you talk about HIV or treat people living with HIV can add to stigma. Here are some ways you might be contributing to HIV stigma:

Believing or spreading myths about HIV. Misinformation fuels stigma and can stop people from getting tested or seeking treatment. 

Making jokes about HIV. Even if you don’t mean harm, jokes about HIV are hurtful and reinforce  stigma.

Treating people with HIV differently. Avoiding physical contact, assuming someone is irresponsible because they have HIV, or questioning how they got it are all forms of stigma.

Thinking HIV is a punishment. HIV is a health condition, not a moral issue. Judging people for having HIV only adds to their challenges.

How can we end HIV stigma?

To end HIV stigma, we need to take action starting at an individual level:

• Learn the facts. HIV is not a death sentence, and people on treatment can live long healthy lives. If you need more information to help you better understand HIV, why not explore Be in the KNOW. The more you know, the easier it is to correct misinformation.
• Check your own attitude. Sometimes, we grow up hearing negative things and myths about living with HIV, and we don’t realise we believe them. Take time to think about your views on HIV. Do they come from facts or just what others have told you? Challenge yourself to think differently.
• Support people living with HIV. Treat them with kindness and respect. If you see someone spreading false information or being judgmental, speak out and correct them.
• Call out stigma when you see it. Educate others and be that voice of change. Whether it’s at home, school, work, or in the community, don’t remain silent. 

We all have a role to play in ending HIV stigma. Start with yourself, and together, we can create a less judgmental and discriminatory society.