COVID-19, stigma, and people with disabilities: A mental health perspective

doi:10.5495/wjcid.v12.i1.47

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World Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases

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Letter to the Editor

World J Clin Infect Dis. Apr 26, 2022; 12(1): 47-49
Published online Apr 26, 2022. doi: 10.5495/wjcid.v12.i1.47

COVID-19, stigma, and people with disabilities: A mental health perspective

Raktim Swarnakar, Shreya Santra

Raktim Swarnakar, Department ofPhysical Medicine and Rehabilitation, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, Delhi, India

Shreya Santra, R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata 700004, India

Author contributions: Swarnakar R contributed to conception and design; Swarnakar R and Santra S contributed to literature search and writing.

Conflict-of-interest statement: Raktim Swarnakar and Shreya Santra declare no conflicts of interest for this letter.

Corresponding author: Raktim Swarnakar, MBBS, MD, Senior Resident Doctor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, Delhi, India. raktimswarnakar@hotmail.com

Received: October 2, 2021
Peer-review started: October 2, 2021
First decision: December 9, 2021
Revised: December 22, 2021
Accepted: February 15, 2022
Article in press: February 15, 2022
Published online: April 26, 2022
Processing time: 205 Days and 2.3 Hours

Abstract

Discrimination is an age-old ‘illness’ irrespective of its context. Stigma is a common factor that has been associated with disability and coronavirus disease 2019. The public health impact of stigma on differently-abled people during this pandemic is not known and it is a poorly investigated and neglected area. It is important to address the current research need in the concerned area and its implications for public health policymaking and changes in practices that it requires. Together we can win the war against pandemics if we reduce the mental distancing in all perspectives.

Keywords: COVID-19; Stigma; Disability; Mental health; Public health

Core Tip: Currently, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is known to be associated with stigma. Previously, it was known that disability is also associated with stigma. The public health impact of stigma on differently-abled people during the COVID-19 pandemic is not known and is a poorly investigated area currently. This letter would like to address the current research need in the concerned area and this would have implications for public health policymaking and changes in practices that it needs.