Less alcohol, less stigma

Stigma is a public health, medical, and ethical issue, being a consequence of health inequities as well as a key driver in perpetuating them. People with, or at risk of developing, liver disease frequently belong to highly stigmatised groups. This is particularly the case when it results from alcohol use. Stigma has a major impact on liver diseases in Europe, leading to discrimination, reduction in healthcare seeking behaviour, and reduced allocation of resources, which all result in poor clinical outcomes. This, ultimately, can worsen social inequalities by negatively affecting employment, social relationships, and educational opportunities.