Stigma as a Social Determinant of Health: A Policy Classification Framework and Call to Action

Stigma produces population health inequities through resource deprivation, social exclusion, and diminished access to care — yet it remains largely absent from mainstream social determinants of health frameworks and the policies designed to address them. This presentation introduces a novel classification framework that positions stigma as a social determinant of health and maps the policy landscape accordingly. Drawing on evidence across stigmatized conditions — including tobacco use, cancer, and other health-related identities — the talk examines how structural, interpersonal, and internalized stigma operate as upstream drivers of health inequity. Attendees will explore how this framework can inform more equitable health policy, clinical practice, and research, and will consider actionable strategies for advancing stigma-informed approaches in their own work.