sufferers

The term sufferers describes people who endure a condition or hardship. It covers medical illnesses, chronic disabilities, or the consequences of events such as disasters or conflict. It emphasizes the experience of suffering rather than the condition itself. It is a generic label and does not specify diagnosis.

In contemporary usage, many writers prefer more precise or person-centered language. In medical contexts "patients" is common when care is ongoing; in public health and humanitarian reporting, "people affected by" or "people living with" a condition is often favored to emphasize agency. The word "sufferers" can carry connotations of passivity or helplessness and may be regarded as stigmatizing when applied to individuals.

Usage tips: choose language that matches context; if possible, reference the condition and avoid reducing individuals to their suffering; consider self-identification preferences; for chronic conditions, "people with [condition]" or "people living with" a standard. Historical or literary uses of "sufferers" may reflect era-specific rhetoric.

See also: patient, survivor, affected population, disability rights language, person-first language.