Mysore/Mysuru: JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER) has achieved another major milestone in public health and genetic research.

A pioneering study co-authored by Dr. Deepa Bhat, Professor of Anatomy and Certified Genetic Counsellor at JSS Medical College, has been published in The Lancet Regional Health — Southeast Asia, marking a national breakthrough in stigma research related to sickle cell disease (SCD). The study introduces ICMR-SCD Stigma Scale for India (ISSSI), the first scientifically validated tool from India to assess the multi-dimensional stigma faced by people living with SCD and their care-givers.

Developed under the leadership of Dr. Bontha V. Babu and funded by ICMR National Task Force Project under the Socio-Behavioural Research Division, the ISSSI is a culturally attuned and linguistically adaptable scale, tailored to the Indian context. The multi-centric study involved fieldwork across six tribal regions in collaboration with Central Tribal University, Vizianagaram; Bodoland University, Assam; Parul University, Vadodara; ICMR-RMRC, Bhubaneswar; JSS Medical College, Mysuru – Constituent College of JSS AHER.

The scale captures stigma across key domains — familial, illness burden, interpersonal relationships, healthcare interactions, social disclosure — and is now positioned as a vital tool for National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission (NSCAEM).

Dr. Deepa Bhat states that “This initiative represents a critical step in ensuring that the voices and lived experiences of individuals with SCD, especially from tribal regions, are integrated into health policy and intervention frameworks.”

Dr. B. Suresh, Pro-Chancellor, JSS AHER, said “at JSS AHER, we remain steadfast in our commitment to research that serves society. This recognition in The Lancet reaffirms our vision of promoting inclusive and impactful science — especially for the underserved and marginalised.”

The ISSSI tool is now available for use in clinical settings, community outreach and health systems research, enabling policymakers, clinicians and researchers to address stigma with precision and empathy.