Stigma

This section highlights the ways stigma can impact care and use of PrEP, and highlights key ways to reduce stigma and discrimination.

Reducing HIV stigma is important for normalizing knowing one’s status and increasing HIV testing1
Individuals at a higher likelihood of HIV acquisition fear being stigmatized2

Anticipated HIV stigma is a barrier to regular HIV testing among certain populations3,a

~90% of Americans believe there is still a stigma around HIV, and 32% feel discomfort when interacting with a coworker living with HIV4

Stigma often affected whether to get tested, where to get tested, and how often for GBQMSM5

aSexually active predominantly Black and Hispanic YGBMSM and transgender women in the US.

Impact of HIV Stigma on Likelihood for Acquiring HIV and/or Using PrEP

Addressing PrEP stigma may help increase PrEP interest and uptake6

Among MSM, anticipated stigma reduced the odds of being willing to test for HIV and using PrEP.3

Anticipated sexual “risk compensation” with PrEP can lead to PrEP stigma and may consequently:

Reduce willingness of HCPs to prescribe PrEP7

Shift individuals’ perceptions of their own eligibility or need for PrEP7

Reduce motivation for individuals to use PrEP7

Impact reimbursement of PrEP7

Stigmatizing beliefs around PrEP have been shown to impact interest in using PrEP among BMTW and WMTW in a 2015 survey in a large Southeastern US city (N=264)8

70% (n=186) agreed that PrEP would cause people to have more "risky" sex
45% (n=120) believed that individuals should pick their partners more carefully instead of taking PrEP
23% (n=60) believed that PrEP was for individuals who were promiscuous

Ways to Reduce HIV-Related Stigma and Discrimination9

Select recommendations from the Global Partnership per UNAIDS to reduce HIV-related stigma and discrimination in 6 settings of focus:

Community

  • Increase individual-level counseling
  • Engage families and households

Workplace

  • Provide training to workers on resources and services
  • Ensure healthy workplace policies

Education

  • Ensure access to HIV services and sex education
  • Provide educators with training to support students’ psychosocial needs

Healthcare

  • Provide training on HIV and other topics
  • Keep universal precaution supplies and post-exposure prophylaxis in stock

Justice

  • Implement programs to provide legal literacy and access
  • Routinely inform duty-bearers on legal, health, and human rights aspects of HIV

Emergency

  • Strengthen capacity of community health workers
  • Implement programs and services to reduce internalized stigma

Learn more about HIV stigma, and find resources and information to stop HIV stigma and discrimination in this helpful article from the CDC.

Read article

BMTW, black men and transgender women who have sex with men; GBQMSM, gay, bisexual, queer, and other men who have sex with men; MSM, men who have sex with men; WMTW, white men and transgender women who have sex with men; YGBMSM, young gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.​

References:

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Stigma and HIV. Updated April 16, 2024. Accessed September 18, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/health-equity/index.html
  2. UNAIDS. Confronting discrimination: overcoming HIV-related stigma and discrimination in health-care settings and beyond. Published 2017. Accessed September 8, 2025. https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/confronting-discrimination_en.pdf
  3. Gamarel KE, Nelson KM, Stephenson R, Santiago Rivera OJ, Chiaramonte D, Miller RL. Anticipated HIV stigma and delays in regular HIV testing behaviors among sexually-active young gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and transgender women. AIDS Behav. 2018;22(2):522-530. doi:10.1007/s10461-017-2005-1
  4. GLAAD. GLAAD releases fourth annual HIV stigma study. Published September 6, 2023. Accessed September 8, 2025. https://glaad.org/releases/glaad-releases-fourth-annual-hiv-stigma-study
  5. Iott BE, Loveluck J, Benton A., et al. The impact of stigma on HIV testing decisions for gay, bisexual, queer and other men who have sex with men: a qualitative study. BMC Public Health. 2022;22(1):471. doi:10.1186/s12889-022-12761-5
  6. McCoy K, Mantell JE, Deiss R, et al. Pre-exposure prophylaxis awareness and demand creation: overlooked populations and opportunities to move forward. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2025;98(5S):e170-e180. doi:10.1097/QAI.0000000000003626
  7. Calabrese SK, Krakower DS, Mayer KH. Integrating HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) into routine preventive health care to avoid exacerbating disparities. BMC Public Health. 2022;22(1):471. doi:10.1186/s12889-022-12761-5
  8. Eaton LA, Kalichman SC, Price D, et al. Stigma and conspiracy beliefs related to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and interest in using PrEP among black and white men and transgender women who have sex with men. AIDS Behav. 2017;21(5):1236-1246. doi:10.1007/s10461-017-1690-0
  9. UNAIDS. Evidence for eliminating HIV-related stigma and discrimination — Guidance for countries to implement effective programmes to eliminate HIV-related stigma and discrimination in six settings. Published April 24, 2020. Accessed September 8, 2025. https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/documents/2020/eliminating-discrimination-guidance