HealthAugust 26, 2026
destigmatizing
dee-STIG-muh-tahy-zing
Definition
The act of removing negative associations, shame, or social disapproval from a specific topic, behavior, or condition.
Etymology
Derived from the prefix 'de-' (meaning reversal or removal) and 'stigma', which comes from the Greek word for a mark or brand made on the skin.
In the news
The report suggests that youth prefer sexual health education to be delivered in a destigmatizing way to reduce the shame and fear often associated with the subject in school settings.
Young People Want Better Sexual Health Care
Read the full article ↗The Tyee