Why Is There Still A Stigma Around HIV/AIDS?

Despite tremendous strides forward in medical treatment and public awareness, many sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV and AIDS, continue to be stigmatized. Rampant misconceptions about these viruses and conditions stem from a history of medical inaccuracies, as well as societal beliefs and cultural factors.

In the early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, misinformation and fear permeated the public consciousness surrounding the virus, creating persistent myths that endure to this day. Lisa Barr, Executive Director of Orlando’s Hope and Help Center of Central Florida, Inc., has seen firsthand how destructive the pervasive stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS can be.

“We have a vision and a mission to see all generations empowered with the knowledge, resources, and opportunities necessary to live healthily and stay well,” says Barr. “This includes fighting the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS that still exists.”

To fight back against the stigma, Barr and her team work every day to educate the public, offer preventative care and treatment for those living with HIV and AIDS, and promote positivity and love within the community.

“We’re all about breaking stigmas,” says Barr. “We’re not just talking the talk; we walk the walk with you.”

Why a stigma still exists

Unfortunately, stigmas and misinformation have a way of sticking around even years or decades after they are proven untrue. The campaign that was waged against those living with HIV/AIDS in the 1980s-90s was widespread, creating inaccurate concepts surrounding the conditions that have held on to this day despite education and outreach by groups like Hope & Help.

When HIV/AIDS first emerged in the early 1980s, they came cloaked in mystery. Initially, the virus was identified among certain groups — namely gay men and intravenous drug users — and this initial identification led to the commonly-held misconception that the virus only affected those groups. This early association with marginalized groups led to a designation of “otherness” and rampant discrimination.

In addition, there was very little information about how the disease was transmitted, which only further fueled public panic and discriminatory behavior against those who had contracted the virus. To this day, education is still needed to calm fears that one can “catch” HIV or AIDS through casual contact, a handshake, or sharing facilities.

The effectiveness of early misinformation campaigns makes the work done by Hope & Help all the more important. They are battling over 40 years of misinformation, inaccurate science, and social campaigns by groups and individuals who sought to shame those with HIV and AIDS into hiding.

“We want to remove all barriers to HIV/AIDS education, testing, and treatment,” says Barr. By breaking barriers to correct information and empathetic approaches, Hope & Help is working toward its ultimate goal of ending the HIV epidemic in Florida.

Educating to break stigmas

As HIV/AIDS remains a public health issue, Barr and her team believe that it’s up to everyone to seek and disseminate correct information to break stigmas. This work includes making it easier to open up about sexual practices and questions people may still have about HIV and AIDS.

Through multifaceted media campaigns, Hope & Help strives to reach people from all walks of life and give them the facts about HIV and AIDS. This includes highlighting the real stories of people living with the conditions through campaigns, fundraisers, and other charitable events to reach as many people as possible — especially those who still may harbor misconceptions about the conditions.

Stigmas may also exist within communities of those who are most at risk for HIV infections. With a dedicated medical and outreach staff, Hope & Help also wants to eliminate those stigmas.

“Hope & Help stands out through our community outreach programs and passionate staff,” says Barr. “We have six active support groups for people living with HIV or at risk of acquiring HIV. Our staff is unmatched in their compassion and willingness to do whatever it takes to meet and exceed a client or patient’s needs.”

Although HIV and AIDS are not considered the death sentences they used to be, there still exists a palpable amount of fear surrounding the conditions that can be alleviated through education and continued engagement with the community. Through grassroots community engagement efforts, the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS is being dispelled.

Rooted in historical misinformation and campaigns by those who seek to discriminate against certain marginalized groups, the persistent stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS continues to be one of the most significant hurdles for those living with the disease. These outdated viewpoints continue to harm the HIV/AIDS community and communities that are identified as high-risk for infection.

As Hope & Help demonstrates, efforts to dispel myths and break stigmas are multifaceted. Public awareness campaigns, the utilization of social media, and the humanization of those living with HIV or AIDS lay the groundwork for further success in stigma-breaking.

Through combined community efforts and further education, society can begin to move forward and beyond misinformation that feeds stigmatization. As Hope & Help continues to offer support, medical care, and community education to the Orlando Metropolitan area, they are playing a critical role in building a future where those living with HIV or AIDS can be free from prejudice.