Let’s tackle stigma together
Stigma affects people across countless conditions and identities, and the impact can be devastating. But powerful work is happening across sectors. This project brings those efforts together—because by sharing what works, we can build a collective movement for greater change.
Stigma only ends when it ends for everyone.
No one should face shame or judgement when seeking healthcare. But stigma still gets in the way—built into systems, policies, and everyday interactions that affect who gets care and how.
Tackling Stigma in Healthcare exists to address structural stigma and drive change across all areas of healthcare—so everyone, no matter their background or circumstances, can access care without fear.
Because stigma only ends when it ends for everyone.
News & Events
INTERVIEW
“If this was your mum or dad, would you treat them the same way?” Louise Hansford on stigma against people who use drugs
In our second Tackling Stigma Champion Interview, Louise reflects on how stigma shows up in real life — from people walking away from healthcare after a single damaging comment, to patients being shamed in hospital wards, and even her own experience of a serious injury being dismissed as “drug-seeking behaviour.” She shares her vision for what needs to shift, from mandatory training to centring lived experience.
INTERVIEW
Breaking the Habit: Dr. Nhi Nguyen on Challenging Stereotypes in Clinical Care
In our first Tackling Stigma Champion Interview Seriers, we speak with Dr. Nhi Nguyen, an intensive care specialist at Nepean Hospital in NSW, Australia, a clinical leader for the NSW ICU network, and someone who has thought deeply about bias, language, and the ripple effects of stigma in healthcare.
NEWS
Nominate a Tackling Stigma Champion
Know someone working to reduce stigma in healthcare? We want to hear from you. We're celebrating people who are creating safer, more respectful, and inclusive healthcare—whether they're leading programs, shaping policy, delivering compassionate care, or challenging everyday practices. Nominate a champion today.
Resources
Measuring stigma and discrimination related to hepatitis B and C
Stigma and discrimination continue to prevent people living with hepatitis B and C from accessing the care and support they need. A new survey—developed by World Hepatitis Alliance and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)—shines a light on the real-world experiences of people living with viral hepatitis across nine European countries.
Mental health and
the power of words podcast episode
The words we use to talk about mental ill-health can either reduce stigma—or reinforce it. The wrong word can cause real harm—shutting people out of support, damaging relationships, and fuelling shame. This special World Mental Health Day PsychTalks podcast on the ABC explores these issues in depth.
The Health Stigma and Discrimination Framework (research paper)
Published in BMC Medicine, this open-access paper introduces the Health Stigma and Discrimination Framework—a global, crosscutting model designed to guide research, interventions, and policy across multiple health issues including HIV, cancer and mental illness.