What is Stigma and Discrimination in Epidemiology?
Stigma and discrimination are critical issues in the field of epidemiology that can significantly impact public health interventions and outcomes. Stigma refers to negative attitudes and beliefs that lead to people being marginalized or discriminated against. Discrimination is the behavior that results from these attitudes, often manifesting as unfair treatment towards individuals or groups. In epidemiology, these phenomena can affect the spread of diseases, access to healthcare, and the effectiveness of public health policies.