Addressing the Impact of the Ebola Virus Disease- related Stigma among African Immigrants in the United States

African immigrants, one of the fastest-growing immigrant populations in the United States, face many unique challenges. Since December of 2013, the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) has been claiming lives and altering the societies of origin of West and Central African immigrants. Although only six cases of EVD have officially been diagnosed on American soil, relentless media coverage of these cases generated an outbreak of fear across the country. This fear combined with lack of information about the characteristics of the virus contributed to the spread of misconceptions of the disease and African immigrants. A thematic analysis of mainstream U.S. news media was conducted to assess EVD related-stigma experienced by African immigrants. Database was searched using specific key terms related to access to African immigrant, African refugee and EVD. Twenty-one articles that met the study criteria were retrieved and reviewed. Results of this analysis revealed that several African immigrants have had to face EVD- related stigma in the United States. Moreover, the stigma placed on Africans in the United States affected their careers, schooling, resulting in stress and hardships. The results of this study highlight the importance of understanding how the Ebola outbreak resulted in negative consequences among African immigrants. Understanding EVD- related stigma faced by African communities in the United States could help improve current health promotion programs targeting immigrants in the United States.