Stigmatization, HIV/AIDS, and communities of color: exploring response to human service facilities. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2000. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Click here to return to AIDSLINE main menu
DonateNow
Print this Article


Stigmatization, HIV/AIDS, and communities of color: exploring response to human service facilities.

Health Place. 1997 Sep;3(3):187-99. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE HTA/20038693
Takahashi LM; Department of Urban and Regional Planning, School of Social; Ecology, University of California, Irvine 92697-7075, USA.

Abstract: HIV and AIDS are rapidly becoming leading causes of death for men and women in large cities across the US. Epidemiological data indicate that persons of color in particular have been disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. The continuing growth in the incidence of HIV/AIDS among persons of color implies that human service facilities will be needed in close proximity. However, there has been little research exploring response to human service facilities associated with HIV/AIDS in communities of color. This paper explores community response to facilities associated with HIV/AIDS by analyzing in-depth interviews with fifteen Vietnamese and Latino/Latina informal opinion leaders in Orange County, California. These interviews indicate that the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS emanates to a large degree from the social construction of "HIV/AIDS as homosexuality". Even with the deviance and marginalization associated with HIV/AIDS, however, creative coping strategies have been developed by families within the Latino and Vietnamese communities to enable the maintenance of family ties with persons living with HIV/AIDS.

Keywords: JOURNAL ARTICLE Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*PSYCHOLOGY Adult Asian Americans/*PSYCHOLOGY California Community-Institutional Relations Female Hispanic Americans/*PSYCHOLOGY Homosexuality, Male/PSYCHOLOGY Human HIV Infections/*PSYCHOLOGY Male *Prejudice *Social Work Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. Vietnam/ETHNOLOGY

KWDjournalarticleacquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome/KWDpsychologyadultasianamericans/KWDpsychologycaliforniacommunity-institutionalrelationsfemalehispanicamericans/KWDpsychologyhomosexuality,male/psychologyhumanhivinfections/KWDpsychologymaleKWDprejudiceKWDsocialworksupport,non-uKWDsKWDgov'tsupport,uKWDsKWDgov't,non-pKWDhKWDsKWDvietnam/ethnology
000330
A0030956

Copyright © 2000 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2000. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2000. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .