What do you think about when you hear someone has HIV/AIDS? Do your thoughts go to the person – or what you know about the disease?
People with HIV feel like they are treated as different or as if they are to blame. Some people still think HIV only affects certain groups or lifestyles.
There’s still a lot of false information around HIV/AIDS. Some people fear they can catch it by touching. Others think it’s a punishment for lifestyle choices.
The reality is that anyone can have HIV. No matter how a person gets HIV, at the end of the day, it is nothing more than a chronic medical condition.
Stigma and HIV/AIDS
People with other illnesses such as flu or cancer tend to get support. Yet in the case of HIV/AIDS, they are still unfairly judged, shamed and isolated. This is called stigma, and it is a problem.
Why is it so damaging?
- Stigma discourages people living with AIDS from seeking medical help.
- It impacts their mental health and ultimately worsens their condition.
- It stops people from getting tested in the first place, which makes it tougher to stop the spread.
We need to remember that a diagnosis doesn’t define a person. Changing how we talk can help.
What is people-first language?
Our understanding of our world is shaped by words. A simple but immensely powerful way to change how we think about something is to change how we speak about it.
Think about the difference in how you feel when you hear the following:
- ‘AIDS patients’ vs ‘people living with AIDS’.
- ‘An AIDS sufferer’ vs ‘someone with AIDS’.
The first option automatically makes you think of the disease, while the second focuses on the person.
When we see the person instead of just the disease, we reduce judgement and allow people to seek help without shame. This leads to better care and open conversations.
Practical ways to put people first
- Educate yourself and others
Understand the facts about HIV/AIDS, how it is transmitted, and what it means to live with it. Share this information with your community. - Use respectful language
Always use people-first language, and avoid terms that highlight the illness instead of the person.
- Show compassion
Treat people living with HIV/AIDS as you would someone with any other illness. Offer support. Listen without judgement.
- Challenge stigma around you
Take a stand if you hear someone making negative comments or assumptions about HIV/AIDS. Correct misinformation and encourage a more compassionate attitude. After all, people are so much more than their health challenges.
Reference
- International Aids Society
