Review of the effects of self-stigma and perceived social stigma on the treatment-seeking decisions of individuals with drug- and alcohol-use disorders.

Substance-use disorders are a public health crisis globally and carry with them significant morbidity and mortality. Stigma toward people who abuse these substances, as well as the internalization of that stigma by substance users, is widespread. In this review, we synthesized the available evidence for the role of perceived social stigma and self-stigma in people's willingness to seek treatment. While stigma may be frequently cited as a barrier to treatment in some samples, the degree of its impact on decision-making regarding treatment varied widely. More research needs to be done to standardize the definition and measurement of self- and perceived social stigma to fully determine the magnitude of their effect on treatment-seeking decisions.

Oregon Hospice Association: statewide data set.

The Oregon Hospice Association (OHA) has developed a statewide data set on persons who die while receiving hospice services. The work to date is described, including the development and refinement of data collection forms, and selected results from 1989 and 1990. Although the data set is limited, the information generated does provide OHA staff and board members, and hospice programs in the state, baseline information to use with legislators, funding sources, and the media.