What does this research mean for the field?

Stigma experienced by sex workers in healthcare settings is highly prevalent and is significantly associated with reduced access to care and the use of avoidance strategies such as non-disclosure. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine experiences of stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings and their association with reduced access to health care among sex workers.

August 22, 2026Health Psychology and Behavioral MedicineOpen Access

A survey of Australian sex workers exploring the link between stigma and reduced access to health care

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Authors

ECElena Cama KMKacey Martin LBLoren Brener

Discussion

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Overview

Survey study demonstrates widespread healthcare stigma reduces medical access among sex workers, highlighting the need for targeted clinician training.

Key Points

To examine experiences of stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings and their association with reduced access to health care among sex workers.
Cross-sectional online survey of sex workers (N=689) in Australia recruited through community sex worker organizations.
Assessed self-reported stigma, discriminatory healthcare practices, and avoidance behaviors, controlling for sociodemographics, community connection, personal wellbeing, and social support.
Nearly all respondents reported experiencing stigma in the prior year (97%), with 88% reporting negative treatment by healthcare workers, 70% experiencing inappropriate comments, and 65% receiving unsolicited advice to leave sex work.
Most participants reported utilizing stigma-avoidance strategies, including non-disclosure of sex work (93%) and seeking alternative healthcare services (91%).
Reductions in healthcare access due to stigma were significantly greater among participants with lower wellbeing, lower social support, older age, direct experiences of negative treatment, and stronger connection to the sex worker community.

Cite This Study

Cama et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a895eeeca7ade938187d331 https://doi.org/10.1080/21642850.2026.2719269

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August 22, 2026Health Psychology and Behavioral MedicineOpen Access

A survey of Australian sex workers exploring the link between stigma and reduced access to health care

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

ECElena Cama KMKacey Martin LBLoren Brener

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Survey study demonstrates widespread healthcare stigma reduces medical access among sex workers, highlighting the need for targeted clinician training.

Key Points

To examine experiences of stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings and their association with reduced access to health care among sex workers.
Cross-sectional online survey of sex workers (N=689) in Australia recruited through community sex worker organizations.
Assessed self-reported stigma, discriminatory healthcare practices, and avoidance behaviors, controlling for sociodemographics, community connection, personal wellbeing, and social support.
Nearly all respondents reported experiencing stigma in the prior year (97%), with 88% reporting negative treatment by healthcare workers, 70% experiencing inappropriate comments, and 65% receiving unsolicited advice to leave sex work.
Most participants reported utilizing stigma-avoidance strategies, including non-disclosure of sex work (93%) and seeking alternative healthcare services (91%).
Reductions in healthcare access due to stigma were significantly greater among participants with lower wellbeing, lower social support, older age, direct experiences of negative treatment, and stronger connection to the sex worker community.

Cite This Study

Cama et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a895eeeca7ade938187d331 https://doi.org/10.1080/21642850.2026.2719269

Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

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