Amazing how many people don't realize that (in most locales) doctors are required to report to the state any patients who have communicable diseases. Of course that data isn't (typically) shared with the public and is for epidemiology study and response, but the data is collected and analyzed. How else do we hear about the progression of each year's influenza variant as it makes its way around the world? How do we know/hear about outbreaks of SARS, resistant infections, ebola, and other disease? It's because MD's report to a clearinghouse that then analyses the data to know what regions, populations or demographics are at higher risk. As to the stigmatization of medical conditions? I acknowledge that it exists, but don't see the reasoning behind it. An illness is an illness and someone who is sick is just that, sick. Not a bad person, not a flawed human being, not an immoral or lesser person, they have a condition, illness, infection or disease. Two areas where people seem to attach so much stigma are STDs and mental illness. It's petty and those who think that a patient with an illness in either category is a "freak" need to grow up. I don't "get" the stigmatization and I don't "get" the shame/shaming either. Someone who has an e-Coli, C-diff, or gonorrhea infection (IMO) are in need of the same things. Treatment and education as how to better avoid the illness in the future and how to prevent spreading it to others.