Social Stigma Plays A Large Role In The Health Outcomes Of Patients Especially Those Living With TB

In March 2015, the Community Research Advisory Group (CRAG) and other civil society organizations sent an open letter to the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (the Union). It was sent to criticize, the continued use of stigmatizing language despite previous agreements by the global TB community to abandon such language in favor of new terms.

The Union acknowledged the letter and has stated it will provide guidance and refer future abstract writers and conference participants to the Stop TB Partnership’s (STBP) language guide in addition to pursuing appropriate language guidance in its  International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease and Public Health Action . An article published in the BMJ in March echoes the same sentiments around patient labeling and embracing language that protects the dignity of persons involved in both TB care and research Source:…