WASHINGTON – The Obama administration has launched the first major U.S. initiative against HIV/AIDS in more than a decade.
The 5-year campaign, “Act Against Aids,” is a joint effort of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the White House to educate the public about HIV/AIDS, which remains a serious problem in the United States despite advances in treatment that allow more patients to survive.
Recent data from the Kaiser Family Foundation show that concern about HIV infection has declined in recent years, said Dr. Kevin Fenton, director of the CDC National Center for HIV/AIDS.
“People don't recognize that they are at risk, and they engage in high-risk behavior,” Dr. Fenton said.
The campaign, launched in early April, kicks off with a series of public service announcements, including radio ads, online ads, and public transportation ads, with the theme, “Every 91/2 minutes.” Data from the CDC show that about 56,000 Americans become infected with HIV each year, which translates to 1 person becoming infected every 91/2 minutes. Doctors need to know that the Act Against AIDS campaign will be working to raise awareness about HIV infection and encourage testing, Dr. Fenton said in an interview.
“This [effort] is likely to have an impact on health seeking behaviors,” he said.
Consumer information about the campaign can be found at NineAndaHalfMinutes.org