Social stigma for some health conditions is evolving

An obstacle in overcoming addiction, obesity or other health-related conditions is removing the stigma that accompanies it, typically the labeling or negative perception about the condition.

Health-related social stigma has been a focus of two previous AARP research surveys conducted among American adults age 40-plus in 2021 and 2023 to examine the levels of stigma attached to

some health conditions. AARP conducted the 2024 survey in late May/early June 2024. Beyond being hurtful, social stigma can prevent those with certain health conditions from seeking a

critical diagnosis or treatment, which inevitably affects future health outcomes. While stigma related to drug addiction or obesity remains the highest among surveyed conditions, negative

perceptions tied to Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive impairment, and mental illness has declined. ADDICTION AND OBESITY STIGMA REMAINS HIGH. Sadly, addiction and obesity are often considered

moral failings instead of treatable medical conditions. The percentage who believe addiction is stigmatized stayed fairly consistent in this year’s survey (85 percent) compared to 2021 (87

percent) and 2023 (83 percent). The same goes for those who suffer from obesity, with 85 percent in 2021 to 82 percent in 2023 and up to 84 percent in 2024. With society placing great

emphasis on being thin, most people consider obesity to stem from a lack of discipline or willpower. MENTAL ILLNESS PERCEPTIONS ARE IMPROVING. The social isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic

may have brought to light the lack of empathy for those suffering a mental illness. The perceived stigma continued to decline from 2021 to 2023, with 78 percent of those 40-plus believing

society judges mental illness negatively; in 2023 that number dropped to 68 percent and in 2024 to 65 percent. Yet the percentage who believed the therapeutic use of an emotional support

animal for those who suffer from a mental illness is stigmatized rose from 41 percent in 2023 to 51 percent in 2024. ATTITUDES ABOUT SOME DISEASES ARE TRENDING POSITIVE. Certain areas of

stigma appeared to be trending in a positive direction. While in 2021 more than half of adults 40-plus (56 percent) said Alzheimer’s disease was stigmatized, only 37 percent say the same in

2024. Meanwhile, those who believe Parkinson’s disease is stigmatized also decreased from the original findings in 2021. Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and lung cancer have remained steady

over the three periods. Only 43 percent today believe cognitive impairment is stigmatized versus 63 percent in 2021. Nearly half the adults recently surveyed acknowledge that a speech

impairment is judged negatively by society at 49 percent versus 61 percent in 2021. Hearing and vision impairment are judged less negatively. SUPPORTS STILL GARNER NEGATIVE OPINIONS. Over

the last two years, the number of those who believe the use of health-related supports or adaptive devices are judged negatively increased in some areas; stigma related to masks and

emotional support animals continues to rise while other supports remain low and relatively stable. • Masks to prevent illnesses (59 percent) • Emotional support animals (51 percent) versus

service dogs (27 percent) • Wheelchairs (28 percent) • Walkers (28 percent) • Canes (19 percent) • Hearing aids (20 percent) • Seeing-eye dogs (18 percent) • Eyeglasses (11 percent) Clearly,

more progress is needed in removing stigma across all conditions. The decline in negative perceptions about Alzheimer’s disease, mental illness, and cognitive impairment is a welcome

change, but more empathy is needed for conditions one cannot control or supports that one needs due to factors rarely taken into consideration, such as genetics, metabolism, or environment.

METHODOLOGY The nationally representative survey, fielded from May 28 to June 17, 2024, explored opinions of American adults age 40-plus on topics related to brain health and brain health

resources, including questions on stigma. For more information, please contact Laura Mehegan at [email protected]. For media inquiries, contact External Relations at [email protected].