Fear and Stigma: The Epidemic within the SARS Outbreak

Abstract

Because of their evolving nature and inherent scientific uncertainties, outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases can be associated with considerable fear in the general public or in specific communities, especially when illness and deaths are substantial. Mitigating fear and discrimination directed toward persons infected with, and affected by, infectious disease can be important in controlling transmission. Persons who are feared and stigmatized may delay seeking care and remain in the community undetected. This article outlines efforts to rapidly assess, monitor, and address fears associated with the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic in the United States. Although fear, stigmatization, and discrimination were not widespread in the general public, Asian-American communities were particularly affected.

Keeping the vermin out: Perceived disease threat and ideological orientations as predictors of exclusionary immigration attitudes

“…Des Jarlais, Galea, Tracy, Tross, & Vlahov, 2006). In such instances, prejudice towards these groups is more likely to emerge (Jiang et al, 2009;Person et al, 2004). In our study, it thus appears that perceived avian influenza threat was not strong enough to translate into generalized prejudice.…”

Attitudes About Mental Illness and its Treatment: Validation of a Generic Scale for Public Health Surveillance of Mental Illness Associated Stigma

“…Public health messages must often strike a balance between raising awareness and promoting risk-prevention practices on the one hand and preventing fear, stigma, and discrimination against subpopulations affected by a particular disorder on the other (Weiss et al 2006;Person et al 2004). Strategies for mitigating stigma often require multiple approaches, including primary prevention of disease; providing the public with information to raise awareness and to correct perceptions of risk; offering counseling services for those affected by a disorder; and supporting social policies that promote integration (Weiss et al 2006).…”

A revisit on older adults suicides and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic in Hong Kong

“…The overall case fatality ratio for SARS was 15% in Hong Kong (WHO, 2003(WHO, , 2003b, however, the case fatality ratio for patients younger than 60 years was only 6.8% and for patients older than 60 years was 55% (Donnelly et al, 2003). The high fatality rate among elderly SARS patients not only posed a serious threat to the physical health of the older adults population in Hong Kong (The Hong Kong Geriatrics Society, 2003), but also resulted in mental health issues among the older adults as the epidemic had aroused much public fear and anxiety during its outbreak in Hong Kong in 2003 (Chan, 2004;Person et al, 2004;Chung, 2003;Liu et al, 2004). Chan et al (2006) highlighted a spike in the suicide rate among older adults in Hong Kong in 2003-a 31.7% increase from 2002 and the peak was found in April which was also the peak of the epidemic.…”