The SARS-associated stigma of SARS victims in the post-SARS era of Hong Kong.
This article explores the disease-associated stigma attached to the SARS victims in the post-SARS era of Hong Kong. I argue that the SARS-associated stigma did not decrease over time. Based on the ethnographic data obtained from 16 months of participant observation in a SARS victims' self-help group and semistructured interviews, I argue that the SARS-associated stigma was maintained, revived, and reconstructed by the biomedical encounters, government institutions, and public perception. I also provide new insight on how the SARS-associated stigma could create problems for public health development in Hong Kong. As communicable diseases will be a continuing threat for the human society, understanding how the disease-associated stigma affects the outcomes of epidemic control measures will be crucial in developing a more responsive public health policy as well as medical follow-up and social support service to the diseased social groups of future epidemic outbreaks.
Siu
Judy Yuen-man
JY
School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia.
D006076:Government; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D012934:Social Isolation; D013240:Stereotyping