Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026
11:31
Rapid Fractionation and Isolation of Whole Blood Components in Samples Obtained from a Community-based Setting
Published on: November 30, 2015
Stigmatized ethnicity, public health, and globalization
Canadian Ethnic Studies
|August 19, 2011
Summary
During the SARS outbreak, infection was unfairly linked to ethnic minority status, intensifying racism. This study examines how public health rhetoric fueled discrimination against Asian-Canadians.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Sociology
- Medical Anthropology
Background:
- The historical association between infection and ethnic minority status has been amplified by globalization and the "new public health" paradigm.
- This study investigates the stigmatization processes during the 2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in Toronto.
Observation:
- Stigma attribution during the SARS outbreak was multifaceted, influenced by imagery of masked individuals, healthcare employment, and Asian-Canadian ethnicity.
- The conflation of ethnicity and disease victimization was evident.
Findings:
- Stigmatization during the SARS crisis fueled a moral panic, expressing and rationalizing racism through "new public health" and anti-globalization rhetoric.
- Individualized self-protection measures were used to justify the avoidance of stigmatized groups.
- Post-9/11 sentiments legitimized the avoidance of perceived "others" as a response to globalization.
Implications:
- Understanding the interplay of ethnicity, public health, and globalization is crucial for mitigating stigma during health crises.
- The study highlights the need to address underlying racism and xenophobia that can be exacerbated during pandemics.
- Findings underscore the importance of critical analysis of public health messaging and its potential to reinforce social inequalities.
Related Concept Videos
02:55Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Humans are very diverse and although we share many similarities, we also have many differences. The social groups we belong to help form our identities (Tajfel, 1974). These differences may be difficult for some people to reconcile, which may lead to prejudice toward people who are different. Prejudice is a negative attitude and feeling toward an individual based solely on one’s membership in a particular social group (Allport, 1954; Brown, 2010). Prejudice is common against people who are...
01:27Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Adolescents from ethnic minority backgrounds face a multifaceted journey in forming their identities, shaped by the intersections of cultural expectations and personal exploration. For these adolescents, identity formation involves not only typical developmental challenges but also navigating the perceptions and attitudes of the majority culture. As they grow, adolescents in ethnic minority groups often become increasingly aware of stereotypes, social biases, and discrimination, all of which...
01:26Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
Stress often leads to unhealthy habits like smoking, excessive drinking, and overeating, which offer short-term relief but ultimately increase long-term health risks. These behaviors create a cycle that temporarily lowers stress levels but can result in severe long-term health consequences. Breaking these habits is essential to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall well-being. Three primary changes that support better health include quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake,...
01:23The Role of Culture
Culture plays a crucial role in shaping self-identity and influencing thought and behavior, a foundational interest within social psychology. The multicultural perspective recognizes that individuals do not exist in a vacuum; instead, their experiences, perceptions, and actions are deeply influenced by the intersecting dimensions of their cultural, ethnic, and social group affiliations.Cultural Influence on Self-Identity and Social PerceptionCultural frameworks inform how individuals define...
01:29Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder, has been historically misunderstood. Early psychological theories attributed its origins to childhood trauma and unresponsive parenting. However, contemporary research largely rejects these notions, favoring the vulnerability-stress hypothesis. This model proposes that individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may develop the disorder following exposure to significant environmental stressors. Notably, studies on high-risk...
01:23Investigation of Disease Outbreaks
Multistate foodborne outbreaks pose significant public health risks and require meticulous investigation to identify sources and implement control measures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) utilizes a dynamic seven-step process for these investigations, integrating data from laboratories, interviews, and environmental assessments to protect public health.Outbreak Detection: The detection of multistate outbreaks typically begins with PulseNet, the CDC's national laboratory...