Date Time Shame, stigma barriers to COVID-19 testing for young and culturally diverse, report finds Shame and stigma are preventing young Australians and key community groups from deciding to be tested for COVID-19 in situations where testing is warranted, new collaborative research led by Burnet Institute found. The Optimise Study, a research partnership led by Burnet Institute and the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute), has been following a group of over 300 participants from key groups for the past six months. The latest findings reveal stigma as a pervasive and significant barrier to COVID-19 testing that transcends age and cultural differences in the Australian community.