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Stigma, Discrimination, and Social Exclusion

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Handbook of Social Inclusion

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Abstract

Stigma is an important part of the social determinants of health that performs a crucial aspect in the distribution of health status and life chances for many individuals through the manufacturing of inequalities and inequities. The consequence of stigma is that the stigmatized are systematically excluded from life chances and opportunities such as education, housing, employment, and health and social care. Clearly, stigma is inextricably linked with social exclusion. Stigma is used by people to interpret specific traits of others as “unworthy” and thus “discreditable”; and this results in the stigmatized person becoming “tainted” or “discounted.” Individually, the effects of stigma and social exclusion can be profound and destructive. They can result in isolation, low self-esteem, depression, self-harm, poor academic achievement and social relationships, poor physical and mental health, and suicide. The best strategy to fight against social stigma is social inclusion. It is hoped that we will see more reduction of stigma which will result in the improvement of the social inclusion of many people in the world. This will lead to better health and well-being for all people, reduction of inequalities through devoid of discrimination, vulnerability, and marginalization, and more equitable health at the global level. This chapter will bring readers through several important issues relevant to deviance, difference, and stigma. The chapter will first introduce the concepts of stigma and discrimination. It then discusses the impact of stigma and discrimination on the health and well-being of those who are stigmatized. It also outlines the impact of stigma and discrimination on those who experience mental health and those living with HIV/AIDS. Lastly, the chapter discusses strategies to combat stigma in society.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Health Sciences, VinUniversity, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Pranee Liamputtong

  2. Camberwell, VIC, Australia

    Zoe Sanipreeya Rice

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  1. Pranee Liamputtong
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  2. Zoe Sanipreeya Rice
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Correspondence to Pranee Liamputtong .

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  1. College of Health Sciences, VinUniversity, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Pranee Liamputtong

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Liamputtong, P., Rice, Z.S. (2022). Stigma, Discrimination, and Social Exclusion. In: Liamputtong, P. (eds) Handbook of Social Inclusion. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-89594-5_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-89594-5_6

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