02331nas a2200241   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653002600055653002200081653002000103653001800123653001100141653001400152100001200166700001800178700001200196245006600208856007500274300001100349490000700360520170800367022001402075       2006                            d  c2006 Aug10aCommunicable Diseases10aConcept Formation10aCost of Illness10aHealth Status10aHumans10aPrejudice1 aWeiss M1 aRamakrishna J1 aSomma D00aHealth-related stigma: rethinking concepts and interventions.  uhttp://mysite.science.uottawa.ca/rsmith43/MAT4996/WeissRamakrishna.pdf  a277-870 v113 a<p>As a feature of many chronic health problems, stigma contributes to a hidden burden of illness. Health-related stigma is typically characterized by social disqualification of individuals and populations who are identified with particular health problems. Another aspect is characterized by social disqualification targeting other features of a person's identity-such as ethnicity, sexual preferences or socio-economic status-which through limited access to services and other social disadvantages result in adverse effects on health. Health professionals therefore have substantial interests in recognizing and mitigating the impact of stigma as both a feature and a cause of many health problems. Rendering historical concepts of stigma as a discrediting physical attribute obsolete, two generations of Goffman-inspired sociological studies have redefined stigma as a socially discrediting situation of individuals. Based on that formulation and to specify health research interests, a working definition of health-related stigma is proposed. It emphasizes the particular features of target health problems and the role of particular social, cultural and economic settings in developing countries. As a practical matter, it relates to various strategies for intervention, which may focus on controlling or treating target health problems with informed health and social policies, countering the disposition of perpetrators to stigmatize, and supporting those who are stigmatized to limit their vulnerability and strengthen their resilience. Our suggestions for health studies of stigma highlight needs for disease- and culture-specific research that serves the interests of international health.</p>  a1354-8506