BishtRef
Articles Journals Publishers Authors Subjects Most Cited New Papers Year Stats Open Access
journal article Mar 01, 2002

HIV-Related Stigma and Knowledge in the United States: Prevalence and Trends, 1991–1999

Gregory M. Herek John P. Capitanio Keith F. Widaman ORCID
American Journal of Public Health Vol. 92 No. 3 pp. 371-377 · American Public Health Association
View at Publisher Save 10.2105/ajph.92.3.371
Abstract
Objectives. This study assessed the prevalence of AIDS stigma and misinformation about HIV transmission in 1997 and 1999 and examined trends in stigma in the United States during the 1990s. Methods. Telephone surveys with national probability samples of English-speaking adults were conducted in the period 1996 to 1997 (n = 1309) and in 1998 to 1999 (n = 669). Findings were compared with results from a similar 1991 survey. Results. Overt expressions of stigma declined throughout the 1990s, with support for its most extreme and coercive forms (e.g., quarantine) at very low levels by 1999. However, inaccurate beliefs about the risks posed by casual social contact increased, as did the belief that people with AIDS (PWAs) deserve their illness. In 1999, approximately one third of respondents expressed discomfort and negative feelings toward PWAs. Conclusions. Although support for extremely punitive policies toward PWAs has declined, AIDS remains a stigmatized condition in the United States. The persistence of discomfort with PWAs, blame directed at PWAs for their condition, and misapprehensions about casual social contact are cause for continuing concern and should be addressed in HIV prevention and education programs. (Am J Public Health. 2002;92:371–377)
Topics

No keywords indexed for this article. Browse by subject →

References
28
[3]
Herek GM, Mitnick L, Burris S, et al. AIDS and stigma: a conceptual framework and research agenda. AIDS Public Policy J.1998;13:36–47.
[6]
Gostin LO, Webber D. The AIDS litigation project: HIV/AIDS in the courts in the 1990s, part 2. AIDS Public Policy J.1998;13:3–19.
[15]
Herek GM, Capitanio JP. Conspiracies, contagion, and compassion: trust and public reactions to AIDS. AIDS Educ Prev.1994;6:365–375.
[24]
Woods WJ, Binson D, Morin S, Dilley JW. HIV testing after implementation of name-based reporting [letter]. JAMA.1999;281:1378. 10.1001/jama.281.15.1377
[25]
Casady RJ, Lepkowski JM. Stratified telephone survey designs. Survey Methodol.1993;19:103–113.
Cited By
600
Disclosure Disconnects: Antecedents and Consequences of Disclosing Invisible Stigmas across Life Domains

Belle Rose Ragins · 2008

The Academy of Management Review
Metrics
600
Citations
28
References
Details
Published
Mar 01, 2002
Vol/Issue
92(3)
Pages
371-377
Authors
G
Gregory M. Herek

The authors are with the Department of Psychology, University of California at Davis.

J
John P. Capitanio

The authors are with the Department of Psychology, University of California at Davis.

K
Keith F. Widaman

The authors are with the Department of Psychology, University of California at Davis.

Cite This Article
Gregory M. Herek, John P. Capitanio, Keith F. Widaman (2002). HIV-Related Stigma and Knowledge in the United States: Prevalence and Trends, 1991–1999. American Journal of Public Health, 92(3), 371-377. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.92.3.371
Related

You May Also Like

Evaluating the public health impact of health promotion interventions: the RE-AIM framework.

R E Glasgow, T M Vogt · 1999

5,390 citations

The Problem With the Phrase Women and Minorities: Intersectionality—an Important Theoretical Framework for Public Health

Lisa Bowleg · 2012

2,426 citations

Stigma as a Fundamental Cause of Population Health Inequalities

Mark L. Hatzenbuehler, Jo C. Phelan · 2013

2,076 citations

Improving the Reporting Quality of Nonrandomized Evaluations of Behavioral and Public Health Interventions: The TREND Statement

Don C. Des Jarlais, Cynthia Lyles · 2004

2,022 citations

Levels of racism: a theoretic framework and a gardener's tale

· 2000

1,948 citations