Inclusive writing at ECDC

This editorial guidance on inclusive writing at ECDC provides people with an understanding of how language can contribute to stigma and uncertainty in public health. It explains why the language we use in our work matters – because it has the potential to ‘other’, stigmatise, or exclude people, which may ultimately cause unintended harm. It also provides concrete tips and examples for navigating language decisions in day-to-day work.

As language is always evolving and there are no finite solutions to these issues, this document will be updated regularly.

This guide is presented and intended for use in English only. Other EU languages may differ in their approaches.