Cited by 2,674Health disparities and outcomesPublic Health and Social InequalitiesObesity and Health Practices

Stigma as a fundamental cause of population health inequalities

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Hatzenbuehler, Mark L., Phelan, Jo C., Link, Bruce G.·2013·American Journal of Public Health

Abstract

Bodies of research pertaining to specific stigmatized statuses have typically developed in separate domains and have focused on single outcomes at 1 level of analysis, thereby obscuring the full significance of stigma as a fundamental driver of population health. Here we provide illustrative evidence on the health consequences of stigma and present a conceptual framework describing the psychological and structural pathways through which stigma influences health. Because of its pervasiveness, its disruption of multiple life domains (e.g., resources, social relationships, and coping behaviors), and its corrosive impact on the health of populations, stigma should be considered alongside the other major organizing concepts for research on social determinants of population health.

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Crossref · 10.2105/ajph.2012.301069

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  • When individuals are afforded positive status within their cultural institutions, institutions protect against stress and support health; when institutions relegate individuals into lower statuses, institutions generate stress and derail health.

    “According to social status research, when individuals are afforded positive status within their cultural institutions, institutions protect against stress and support health (Demakakos et al., 2008; Hatzenbuehler et al., 2013; Sapolsky, 2004). But when institutions relegate individuals into lower statuses, institutions generate stress and derail health (Adler, 2009; Sapolsky, 2004).”

    From Cultural trauma as a fundamental cause of health disparities (2022) · cites this paper as Hatzenbuehler et al., 2013

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  • Several fundamental causes-e.g., socioeconomic status, stigma, racism/racial segregation-have been codified in the literature.

    “To date, several fundamental causes—e.g., socioeconomic status (SES; Link and Phelan, 1995), stigma (Hatzenbuehler et al., 2013), racism/racial segregation (Phelan and Link, 2015; Williams and Collins, 2016)—have been codified in the literature.”

    From Cultural trauma as a fundamental cause of health disparities (2022) · cites this paper as Hatzenbuehler et al., 2013

  • The dominant group may exercise stigma using multiple mechanisms such as anti-immigrant media and messaging and resource-reducing discrimination in employment, housing, and education to marginalize minority groups with status loss and negative labels/stereotypes.

    “the dominant group may exercise stigma using multiple mechanisms such as anti-immigrant media and messaging (Morey, 2018) and resource-reducing discrimination in employment, housing, and education (Hatzenbuehler et al., 2013) to marginalize minority groups with status loss and negative labels/stereotypes (Link and Phelan, 2001).”

    From Cultural trauma as a fundamental cause of health disparities (2022) · cites this paper as Hatzenbuehler et al., 2013

  • Following stigma exposure, individuals may experience minority stress-a stigma-related chronic, additive stress associated with reduced mental and physical health in stigmatized cultural groups such as sexual minorities.

    “Following stigma exposure, individuals may experience minority stress—a stigma-related chronic, additive stress (on top of general life stressors) associated with reduced mental and physical health (Hatzenbuehler et al., 2013; Meyer, 2003) in stigmatized cultural groups such as sexual minorities (Hatzenbuehler, 2009; Operario et al., 2015).”

    From Cultural trauma as a fundamental cause of health disparities (2022) · cites this paper as Hatzenbuehler et al., 2013

  • Stigma influences population health outcomes by worsening, undermining, or impeding social relationships, resource availability, stress, and psychological and behavioral responses, exacerbating poor health.

    “Stigma influences population health outcomes by worsening, undermining, or impeding a number of processes, including social relationships, resource availability, stress, and psychological and behavioral responses, exacerbating poor health [9].”

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  1. [93]Kawachi I Kennedy BP Wilkinson RG The Society and Population Health Reader: Income Inequality and Health 1999 New Press New York, NY

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Authors
Hatzenbuehler, M. L., Phelan, J. C., & Link, B. G.
Affiliations
Columbia University (US)
Venue
American Journal of Public Health
Published
2013-05
Volume
103
Issue
5
Pages
813-821
ISSN
  • 0090-0036 (ISSN-L)
  • 1541-0048
OpenAlex
W1976985160
Cited by
2,674
References
120
Citations by year
2026: 196 · 2025: 256 · 2024: 290 · 2023: 243 · 2022: 303 · 2021: 308 · 2020: 276 · 2019: 194 · 2018: 177 · 2017: 145 · 2016: 120 · 2015: 81 · 2014: 62 · 2013: 18 · 2012: 2
FWCI
105.60
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • American Journal of Public Health (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
Funders
National Institute on Drug Abuse (K01DA032558)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
  • Social Sciences › Health › Public Health and Social Inequalities
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Obesity and Health Practices
Keywords
stigma, health disparities, population health, social determinants of health, psychological pathways, interpersonal relationships, coping styles, stigmatized groups
MeSH terms
Attitude to Health, Employment, Health Services Accessibility, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Minority Groups, Obesity, Self Concept, Sexual Behavior, Social Isolation, Sociology, Medical, Stress, Psychological, HIV Infections, Persons with Psychiatric Disorders, Health Status Disparities, Healthcare Disparities, Social Stigma

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