Stigma and discrimination can have negative impacts on the health of individuals who experience them. These impacts include increased stress levels, increased mental health issues, and more use of unhealthy coping mechanisms such as substance abuse. If you want to learn more about the impacts of stigma and discrimination on health, continue reading this article. We’ll examine how they affect different aspects of people’s lives, including their physical health, mental health, behaviour, and societal participation.
LGBT community experiences health disparities
One group that experiences significant health disparities in the LGBT community. This is due in large part to stigma and discrimination. LGBT individuals may avoid seeking health care for fear of discrimination or being denied care outright. This can lead to serious health problems, both mental and physical. The good news is that organizations are working to combat stigma and discrimination against the LGBT community to improve their health outcomes.
The effects of stigma and discrimination are widespread. For example, research suggests that gay men are less likely to get tested for HIV than their heterosexual counterparts due to fear of discrimination. Additionally, lesbians experience higher rates of obesity than their heterosexual peers – a phenomenon that researchers attribute to stress from being marginalized. Other studies have shown LGBT individuals have higher rates of depression and anxiety as well, which can lead to poor health outcomes such as high blood pressure or heart disease.
Poor Mental Health
Experiencing stigma and discrimination can lead to poor mental health outcomes. Studies have shown that individuals who experience discrimination are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. The negative impact of stigma and discrimination can be even more significant for those who already have a mental illness. The stress of dealing with stigma and discrimination can worsen symptoms and make it harder to manage mental health conditions. In some cases, the effects of stigma and discrimination can even lead to suicide.
In some cases, it’s common for people to develop physical symptoms when experiencing stigma and discrimination. These include digestive problems, chronic pain, diabetes, heart disease, asthma, high blood pressure, and more. The reasons behind these health issues are not well understood; however, they are known to worsen when an individual is already suffering from a mental or physical illness.
Obesity
In the United States, nearly one-third of adults are obese. And while obesity rates have been slowly rising over the past few decades, the past few years have seen a more rapid increase. Obesity is a severe health condition that can lead to several other problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and even certain types of cancer. And yet, despite its prevalence, obesity is still often stigmatized. People who are obese are often discriminated against in their personal and professional lives.
The most recent U.S. data indicate that around one-third of adults are obese, up from a quarter in 1990. While obesity rates have been slowly rising over much of that period, they’ve risen more rapidly in recent years: The proportion of adults who were obese increased from 31 percent to 37 percent between 2013 and 2014 alone (1).
Risk for Tobacco use
People who experience stigma and discrimination are more likely to turn to tobacco products as a way to cope with stress. This is because tobacco can provide a temporary sense of relief from the negative emotions caused by discrimination. In addition, people who are marginalized are more likely to have access to tobacco products, as they are often cheaper than other coping mechanisms. The health risks associated with tobacco use are well-documented, including cancer, heart disease, and respiratory problems.
Use alcohol as a coping mechanism
For many people who experience stigma and discrimination, alcohol becomes a way to cope with the pain. While it may provide temporary relief, alcohol is a depressant and can actually make feelings of sadness, anger, and isolation worse in the long run. Additionally, drinking can lead to health problems like liver damage and cancer. If you’re struggling with stigma and discrimination, it’s essential to find healthy coping mechanisms that don’t involve alcohol.
Homelessness
One of the most visible examples is homelessness. Homeless people are often seen as dirty, dangerous, and lazy. This stigma can make people afraid to help or even offer them a job, which only exacerbates the issue. Homelessness can also lead to poor mental and physical health due to the stress of not having a safe place to sleep or eat.
The longer someone is homeless, the worse their health tends to get. It becomes more difficult to find work or secure safe housing, which makes it even harder to deal with any existing mental or physical health issues. As time goes on, homelessness can lead to all sorts of problems: depression, anxiety, substance abuse problems and so on.
Drug abuse Section and Suicide
Suicide is a problem that is often stigmatized and discriminated against. This can make it difficult for people to seek help or get the support they need. Additionally, the stigma and discrimination can lead to negative health outcomes, including increased anxiety and depression. In some cases, the stigma and discrimination can even lead to suicide.
According to Mentalhealth.gov, someone dies by suicide every 12.8 minutes in America. That means that one person dies by suicide every 65 seconds. This makes it a top 10 cause of death in America and one of only three leading causes (along with Alzheimer’s disease and accidental injury) that are rising in terms of deaths per year. In addition, people who experience stigma or discrimination have an increased risk for suicidal thoughts, making living with mental illness even more difficult.