The Southern AIDS Strategy Initiative (SASI) released a new report, HIV Stigma Study in the Deep South: Descriptive Findings, to document HIV-related stigma in the Deep South. Among other findings, the study found that persons with higher internalized stigma were more likely to have missed a medical appointment in the last six months, to report poorer medication adherence and to not have an undetectable viral load. SASI’s findings add to the growing evidence of the need to address stigma to improve the well-being of persons living with HIV and to reduce HIV transmission.

SASI will be releasing further analysis related to the HIV Stigma Study and will be working on adapting existing stigma reduction interventions and/or creating new strategies to reduce stigma that are suited to the culture of the Deep South as well as advocating for resources for the implementation of these programs.