A new study shows a majority of Americans say they wouldn’t feel comfortable interacting with a doctor living with HIV while almost half would feel discomfort with an HIV+ barber.
The GLAAD 2021 State of HIV Stigma Study is a national survey in partnership with the Gilead COMPASS Initiative measuring American attitudes toward HIV and people living with HIV.
The study was conducted between January 14, 2021, and January 29, 2021, and surveyed 2,517 U.S. adults 18-years-old or over.
The results show less than half of Americans, 48%, feel knowledgeable about HIV. That’s 3 points lower than a year ago.
(graphics via GLAAD)That lack of knowledge translates into how comfortable or uncomfortable people are regarding interacting with those living with HIV.
Of the non-LGBTQ people surveyed:
• 53% said they would be uncomfortable interacting with a medical professional who has HIV • 44% indicated they wouldn’t be comfortable with a barber or hair stylist living with HIV • 35% said the same about being around a teacher who was HIV positive
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