Health Communication Should do no Harm: Weight and Diabetes Stigma in Online Health Content

Abstract

Stigmatizing language in online health communication negatively impacts patient experience and health outcomes. Journals, medical associations, and patient groups have affirmed the use of person-centered language; however, those changes have not been applied broadly to health systems’ patient-facing materials. Health communicators and providers can work together to develop medically accurate, person-centered content that avoids stigmatizing people, improves self-management of personal health, and enhances the online patient experience.