Stigma, when associated with HIV, another medical condition, mental illness or disability, prevents a person from seeking evaluation and treatment, disclosing the diagnosis to those most likely to provide support, and following treatment guidelines. Health related stigma destroys human dignity.
Register for the 2024 International Conference on Stigma HERE
The 15th Annual International Conference on Stigma will be held form November 19 to November 21st, 2024. CLICK HERE for more information.
Howard University has been funded, along with partner nonprofit HealthHIV, to address HIV Prevention in Black Women through a new project entitled, “Black Women and HIV- Empowerment through Engagement, Education, and Enrichement.”
CLICK HERE to read the Press Release
Sickle cell disease primarily affects about 100,000 Americans, and greater than 7 million people worldwide. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of genetic disorders that affect red blood cells, causing them to become shaped like crescents or sickles. The sickle-shaped cells can travel through the bloodstream, getting stuck and cutting off blood flow, leading to intense pain and organ damage. Patients with SCD may experience chronic pain and have learned to manage frequent acute pain crises, leading some providers to mistakenly view them as drug seeking individuals. Thus provider bias often leads to inadequate pain treatment, with healthcare providers sometimes labeling patients as lazy, drug-seeking, or addicts.
