Mpox "Monkeypox" Virus: The Importance of Inclusive Imagery to Prevent Disease Stigma

Since the initial coverage of the monkeypox virus, there has been debate among physicians over how to responsibly communicate public health information without harming historically marginalized communities. On November 28, 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced its plan to rename monkeypox "mpox" following growing concern regarding the stigmatizing nature of the disease's original name. We believe providers, and especially dermatologists, have an opportunity to further shape conversations about the virus to mitigate the same stigmas that were perpetuated by media coverage surrounding the HIV epidemic and contributed to the rise of anti-LGBTQ and HIV+ violence. Specifically, dermatologists have an opportunity to engage in conversations about the psychosocial impact of visible skin disease, advocating for healthcare equity by using both inclusive imagery and non-discriminatory language.J Drugs Dermatol. 2023;22(12):1235-1236. doi:10.36849/JDD.7482.