Scientific literature produced during the most recent international epidemic emergencies, such as SARS and Ebola, highlights that infected persons are often labeled, rejected, discriminated and subjected to loss of status due to their perceived link with the disease. Such experiences of discrimination may have detrimental effects on both patients, their family members, friends and communities. It is also possible that those who have been infected with COVD-19 may experience shame, guilt and sense of isolation arising from social stigma. It is therefore important to take full advantage of experiences gained during past epidemic crises, in order to implement timely measures to tackle this further negative consequence of the pandemic.
Le letteratura scientifica prodotta nel corso delle più recenti emergenze epidemiche internzionali, per esempio SARS ed Ebola, evidenzia che le persone colpite da tali infezioni vengano spesso etichettate, rifiutate, discriminate, assoggettate a una perdita di status a causa del legame percepito con la malattia. Tali esperienze di discriminazione possono avere effetti negativi non solo sui pazienti, ma anche sulle loro famiglie, sui loro amici e sulla loro comunità. È possibile che chi si è ammalato di CoViD-19 possa sperimentare vergogna, colpa e isolamento derivante dallo stigma sociale. Per questo è importante fare tesoro delle esperienze maturate nel corso delle precedenti crisi epidemiche, per mettere tempestivamente in atto misure atte a contrastare questa ulteriore ricaduta negativa della pandemia.
Emergenze epidemiche e stigma sociale. Quali insegnamenti trarre dalle precedenti epidemie di SARS ed Ebola da applicare nell’attuale pandemia CoViD-19? [Epidemic emergencies and social stigma. Which lessons should we learn from SARS and Ebola epidemics for the current CoViD-19 pandemics?]
Lasalvia, Antonio
2020-01-01
Abstract
Scientific literature produced during the most recent international epidemic emergencies, such as SARS and Ebola, highlights that infected persons are often labeled, rejected, discriminated and subjected to loss of status due to their perceived link with the disease. Such experiences of discrimination may have detrimental effects on both patients, their family members, friends and communities. It is also possible that those who have been infected with COVD-19 may experience shame, guilt and sense of isolation arising from social stigma. It is therefore important to take full advantage of experiences gained during past epidemic crises, in order to implement timely measures to tackle this further negative consequence of the pandemic.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.