Abstract
This chapter identifies key health issues around which there is stigma including HIV, cancer, disability, mental health, and dementia. It presents a historical discussion around the concept of stigma generally and the sources of stigma in Arab culture. Guided by the literature on racial and ethnic groups in the USA, this chapter highlights available evidence on stigma and health in Arab and Arab American populations, as well as Muslims in the USA. We present a biopsychosocial model of stigma and health to map pathways to stigma and suggest strategies to overcome it among Arab Americans specifically and racial ethnic groups generally. Recommendations for future research, practice, and policy initiatives as they relate to Arab Americans are suggested.
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Abdulrahim, S., Ajrouch, K.J., Morrison, M. (2023). Hiding Health Problems: Culture and Stigma. In: Nassar, S.C., Ajrouch, K.J., Dallo, F.J., Hakim-Larson, J. (eds) Biopsychosocial Perspectives on Arab Americans. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-28360-4_5
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