Are you a stigma interrupter?
Stigma – whether directed towards people living with viral hepatitis, or towards groups associated with viral hepatitis risk and prevalence – poses a persistent obstacle to effective prevention, diagnosis, and care. Whether driven by bias, fear, or ignorance, expressions of stigma make people feel unwelcome and unsupported, and deter them from accessing services and care.
We can all support viral hepatitis elimination by committing to interrupt stigma in our environments:
– Speak up against stigmatizing statements and attitudes
– Challenge stigmatizing policies and practices that restrict access to resources and care
– Affirm people experiencing stigma through compassion and respect
This May, for Hepatitis Awareness Month, NVHR invites you to join us in committing to interrupt stigma in your community, workplace, and networks.
Pledge to Disrupt Viral Hepatitis Stigma
See the Ripple Effects
Spread the word: #HepHappens
#justB Video Library & Discussion Guide [Stories by People Living With and Affected by Hepatitis B,
to Challenge Stigma, Support Education, and Advocate for Care] (HBF)
#BtheVoice Video Library – a global effort to elevate the voices of those living with hepatitis B where storytellers, complimenting the #justB storytelling campaign that focuses on the U.S. Topics covered by storytellers include stigma, discrimination, access to healthcare and more. (HBF)
Words Matter – Terms to Use and Avoid When Talking About Addiction (NIDAMED)
Cultural Humility & Reducing Stigma and Discrimination Provider Handbook (AETC)
Overcoming Barriers Related to HCV Care – Stigma (AETC)
Learn more about stigma and viral hepatitis:
Harris, M., Guy, D., Picchio, C. A., White, T. M., Rhodes, T., & Lazarus, J. V. (2021). Conceptualising hepatitis C stigma: A thematic synthesis of qualitative research. The International journal on drug policy, 96, 103320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103320
Katcher, J. G., Klassen, A. C., Hann, H., Chang, M., & Juon, H. (2024). Racial discrimination, knowledge, and health outcomes: The mediating role of hepatitis b‐related stigma among patients with chronic hepatitis B. Journal of Viral Hepatitis, 31(5), 248–254. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvh.13932
Lee, H., Fawcett, J., Kim, D., & Yang, J. H. (2016). Correlates of Hepatitis B Virus-related Stigmatization Experienced by Asians: A Scoping Review of Literature. Asia-Pacific journal of oncology nursing, 3(4), 324–334. https://doi.org/10.4103/2347-5625.195896
Saine, M. E., Szymczak, J. E., Moore, T. M., Bamford, L. P., Barg, F. K., Schnittker, J., Holmes, J. H., Mitra, N., & Lo Re, V., 3rd (2020). Determinants of stigma among patients with hepatitis C virus infection. Journal of viral hepatitis, 27(11), 1179–1189. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvh.13343
Smith-Palmer et al. Impact of Stigma on People Living with Chronic Hepatitis B. Patient Relat Outcome Meas. 2020 Mar 9;11:95-107. https://doi.org/10.2147/PROM.S226936
Tomar, M., Sharma, T., & Prasad, M. (2023). Social challenges experienced by Hepatitis B patients: A mixed method study. Journal of family medicine and primary care, 12(4), 748–755. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1575_22
Toumi et al. Experience and impact of stigma in people with chronic hepatitis B: a qualitative study in Asia, Europe, and the United States. BMC Public Health 24, 611 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17263-6
Weiner, S. G., Lo, Y. C., Carroll, A. D., Zhou, L., Ngo, A., Hathaway, D. B., Rodriguez, C. P., & Wakeman, S. E. (2023). The Incidence and Disparities in Use of Stigmatizing Language in Clinical Notes for Patients With Substance Use Disorder. Journal of addiction medicine, 17(4), 424–430. https://doi.org/10.1097/ADM.0000000000001145
World Hepatitis Alliance. Hepatitis Stigma Survey: exploring the experiences of living with hepatitis B and/or C. https://www.worldhepatitisalliance.org/stigma/