"Much time and effort were spent trying to overcome bureaucracy and official denial – and stigma attached to AIDS victims. ... Although virologists rapidly elucidated the nature and workings of HIV, and developed anti-retrovirals, it required a massive international effort to slow the spread of HIV and make treatment available to those who most need it."
"Stigmatization leads to a socially sanctioned ignorance and unwillingness to engage with real issues. This is not only unjust, but often gets in the way of efforts to understand and tackle epidemics and other health issues."