Our Words Have Power—NIAID Embraces Respectful, Inclusive, and Person-First Language

https://www.niaid.nih.gov/news-events/our-words-have-power?utm_campaign=+61086892&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term= Our Words Have Power—NIAID Embraces Respectful, Inclusive, and Person-First Language By Jeanne Marrazzo, M.D., M.P.H., NIAID Director The power of word choice is obvious every day in my life as a researcher, clinician, colleague, patient, spouse, and friend. Language can inform, delight and inspire, but it can mislead and wound if words are not chosen carefully. At worst, language can invoke stigma, shame, and even violence, all of which undermine NIAID’s mission as part of a health agency. Our institute is responsible not only for advancing scientific knowledge, but for doing so in a way that honors the dignity, individuality, and autonomy of the people affected by the health issues we address. For this reason, I am very proud to share the updated NIAID HIV Language Guide, a thoroughly vetted resource to inform our written and verbal communications. This guide originated as a resource for the HIV field, but respectful, inclusive, and person-first language is essential in all scientific communication. I am committed to following the guide in my communications, and strongly encourage all NIAID staff, funded research networks, sites, centers, investigators, and partners to do the same.