StigmaScope
Explore Stigma in the U.S.
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Missouri

Types of Stigma Interventions

The following stigma-related interventions were conducted in this state.

Multi-intervention package for rural older adults with HIV by Walsh et al. (2024)


Study & Intervention Summary

The study aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of four remotely-delivered interventions (group-based social support, group-based stigma reduction, individual strengths-based case management, and individual technology detailing) designed to improve care engagement and quality of life among rural older adults living with HIV. The interventions target improving viral suppression and quality of life, and the study assesses their preliminary impact on various health outcomes.


Stigma Type Addressed
Internalized, Enacted, Structural
Study Population - Recipients
General (PLHIV)
Intervention Level
Individual - Intrapersonal (Self), Interpersonal (Family/Friends)
Intervention Setting Addressed
Individual
Article Link
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11577818/

Photovoice and fiction writing intervention by Teti et al. (2019)


Study & Intervention Summary

The aim of the article is to explore the impact of two arts-based interventions, Photovoice and fiction writing, on reducing HIV stigma among health professions students. The interventions aim to humanize people living with HIV, challenge stereotypes, and help students understand them as individuals rather than just their disease state.


Stigma Type Addressed
Structural
Study Population - Recipients
Other
Intervention Level
Individual - Intrapersonal (Self), Organizational (healthcare, school)
Intervention Setting Addressed
Healthcare
Article Link
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1049732318790939

Photovoice project on stigma metaphors by Teti et al. (2021)


Study & Intervention Summary

The study aimed to explore how people living with HIV (PLWH) use visual metaphors to describe and make sense of stigma. The intervention involved using photovoice, where participants took pictures and discussed them in groups and individual interviews to share their experiences and advocate for their needs. The goal was to understand stigma through visual metaphors and to create a website to share these stories and educate others.


Stigma Type Addressed
Enacted
Study Population - Recipients
General (PLHIV)
Intervention Level
Individual - Intrapersonal (Self), Interpersonal (Family/Friends)
Intervention Setting Addressed
Healthcare, Network (sexual, etc)
Article Link
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15381501.2021.1911903

Photovoice stigma project by Teti et al. (2021)


Study & Intervention Summary

The aim of the article is to explore the lived experiences of intersectional stigma among people living with HIV using photovoice, a community-based participatory research method. The intervention involves participants taking pictures to represent their experiences with stigma, discussing these in groups and interviews, and creating a virtual exhibit to educate others. This approach aims to provide insights into intersectional stigma and inform future interventions.


Stigma Type Addressed
Enacted
Study Population - Recipients
General (PLHIV)
Intervention Level
Individual - Intrapersonal (Self), Interpersonal (Family/Friends)
Intervention Setting Addressed
Healthcare, Network (sexual, etc)
Article Link
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10508-021-02058-w

Pictures That Speak (Pictures)


Study & Intervention Summary

The intervention, "Pictures That Speak," was a pilot photo-story project aimed at helping gay-identified men with HIV in the Midwest USA express and manage HIV stigma. The project involved participants taking pictures and engaging in group discussions and public exhibits to explore their experiences of stigma and assess the feasibility of art-based interventions.


Stigma Type Addressed
Enacted
Study Population - Recipients
General (PLHIV), MSM
Intervention Level
Individual - Intrapersonal (Self), Interpersonal (Family/Friends)
Intervention Setting Addressed
Healthcare, Network (sexual, etc)
Article Link
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17533015.2014.971830

Taking It to the Pews (TIPS) project


Study & Intervention Summary

The study aimed to pilot test the feasibility of the Taking It to the Pews (TIPS) project, an HIV education and testing intervention in African American churches. The intervention used a community-based participatory research approach, involving church leaders and members in its development and implementation. It included activities such as sermons, posters, resource tables, testimonials, and brochures to educate about HIV and reduce stigma, delivered through multiple channels within the church. The goal was to increase HIV testing rates and reduce HIV-related stigma among church and community members.


Stigma Type Addressed
Structural
Study Population - Recipients
Clergy
Intervention Level
Individual - Intrapersonal (Self), Interpersonal (Family/Friends), Community
Intervention Setting Addressed
Educational, Community (Faith-based organizations, barber shops, etc)
Article Link
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3833192/

weCare


Study & Intervention Summary

The weCare intervention study is a social media intervention designed to increase HIV care engagement among young gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and transgender women living with HIV. It uses social media platforms to provide targeted messaging to improve care engagement and viral suppression among those newly diagnosed, not linked to care, out of care, or not virally suppressed.


Stigma Type Addressed
Internalized
Study Population - Recipients
General (PLHIV), MSM, Transgender/Gender Diverse Individuals
Intervention Level
Individual - Intrapersonal (Self)
Intervention Setting Addressed
Healthcare, Community (Faith-based organizations, barber shops, etc)
Article Link
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8726574/

Structural Stigma

HIV CRIMINALIZATION LAWS

yes
As of 2025, Yes: Missouri has a HIV criminalization law and sentencing enhancements or sex offender registration (or both) or HIV criminalization law only

HATE CRIME DATA COLLECTION LAW

no
As of 2025, No: Missouri does not require hate crime data collection

HATE CRIMES BY YEAR

Number of Hate Crimes
0
180
190
200
210
220
211
199
205
2021
2022
2023
Years
Data view:
Individual Item
Proportion

Have you ever felt that the police refused to protect you because you have sex with men?

11%

Have you ever felt scared to be in public places because you have sex with men?

38%

Have you ever been verbally harassed and felt it was because you have sex with men?

47%

Has someone ever physically hurt you (pushed, shoved, slapped, hit, kicked, choked or otherwise physically hurt you), and do you believe any of these experiences of physical violence was/were related to the fact that you have sex with men?

42%

Have you ever been forced to have sex when you did not want to (by forced, we mean physically forced or coerced to have sex, or penetrated with an object), and do you believe any of these experiences of sexual violence were related to the fact that you have sex with men?

36%
Individual Item
Proportion

Have you ever felt excluded from family activities because you have sex with men?

36%

Have you ever felt that family members have made discriminatory remarks or gossiped about you because you have sex with men?

55%
Individual Item
Proportion

Have you ever felt afraid to go to health care services because you worry someone may treat you poorly because you have sex with men?

29%

Have you ever avoided going to health care services because you worry someone may treat you poorly because you have sex with men?

23%
11.3%

Have you ever felt that the police refused to protect you because you have sex with men?

38.4%

Have you ever felt scared to be in public places because you have sex with men?

46.6%

Have you ever been verbally harassed and felt it was because you have sex with men?

41.8%

Has someone ever physically hurt you (pushed, shoved, slapped, hit, kicked, choked or otherwise physically hurt you), and do you believe any of these experiences of physical violence was/were related to the fact that you have sex with men?

35.8%

Have you ever been forced to have sex when you did not want to (by forced, we mean physically forced or coerced to have sex, or penetrated with an object), and do you believe any of these experiences of sexual violence were related to the fact that you have sex with men?

35.9%

Have you ever felt excluded from family activities because you have sex with men?

54.5%

Have you ever felt that family members have made discriminatory remarks or gossiped about you because you have sex with men?

28.9%

Have you ever felt afraid to go to health care services because you worry someone may treat you poorly because you have sex with men?

23.3%

Have you ever avoided going to health care services because you worry someone may treat you poorly because you have sex with men?

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