AIDS Healthcare Foundation launches "Stay Negative" HIV testing campaign

Feb 23 2009

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) , which operates the largest community-based alternative HIV and sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing program in California, has launched an innovative and eye-catching Los Angeles-area HIV prevention and testing campaign urging the public to "Stay Negative" and to visit www.freehivtest.net to find out where to get tested quickly, conveniently and at no cost.

The campaign, created by AHF, features billboards (12' X 25'and 26' X 24'), palm cards, radio spots and a significant online presence which, in addition to its own website, includes banner advertisements on KIIS, HOT, MYFM radio station websites. The attention-grabbing image of a semi-nude male with the words "Stay Negative" tattooed on his upper back is already having an impact. An increase in traffic to the www.freeHIVtest.net website has also coincided with an increase in testing at AHF sites.

"A major goal of the Stay Negative campaign is to help guide a shift in thinking around HIV testing. With its eye-catching image and simple, straightforward message, our hope is that the initiative will lead people to see HIV testing as a necessary and routine part of their health care-especially when they realize how easy it can be to access testing and obtain this crucial knowledge about their own status," said Whitney Engeran III , Director of Public Health Division for AIDS Healthcare Foundation. "There are many uncertainties when addressing people's sexual behaviors but the one thing we know for sure -HIV testing, detection and linkage to medical care works. The best way to break the chain of infection-in Los Angeles or anywhere-is for people to get tested and know their status."

A key component of the initiative is its website which contains crucial information about HIV transmission, prevention and treatment, including facts about condom use. The site also contains an extensive "myth vs. reality" section that frankly addresses false beliefs surrounding HIV that may prevent some individuals from accessing testing. Most importantly, the site lists AHF's free, community-based HIV testing locations including its Men's Wellness Center in Hollywood, select Out of the Closet Thrift Store locations and through its innovative mobile testing van that appears at public locations throughout the city including sites such as Target, Big Lots, local area churches, Food4Less, and Ross in areas of town that include Long Beach, Atwater, East Los Angeles, Venice, Inglewood and West Hollywood.

"The 'Stay Negative' campaign is just the beginning of AHF's year-long effort to test 40,000 people in Los Angeles for HIV by working with community-based partnerships such as the City of Los Angeles, Bienestar Human Services, the Wall De Las Memorias, Homeless Healthcare, Reach L.A. and other agencies," said Joey Terrill, AHF's Domestic Testing Program Manager. "AHF's own recent success with a 24-hour HIV testing event at our Sunset Blvd. Out of the Closet Thrift Store in honor of World AIDS Day 2008, made it clear that people want to be tested, especially if testing is made accessible. We hope that the 'Stay Negative' campaign-which directs people to convenient testing locations throughout the city-will help people to see HIV testing as a routine part of taking care of their own health and that of their partners."

California is leading the way in implementing legislation to make routine HIV testing a reality as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). In September 2006, the CDC issued a landmark revision to its HIV testing recommendations encouraging U.S. medical providers to make HIV testing a "routine part of care in health care settings for all patients ages 13 through 64," and encourages linkages to care and treatment for those found to be HIV infected. The CDC also suggested that, "(HIV )... screening should be routine, regardless of whether the patient is known or suspected to have specific behavioral risks for HIV infection."

According to a recent CDC report on the nation's HIV/AIDS epidemic, there was a 15% increase in new cases of HIV/AIDS infections in 2007 (38,531 in 2006; 44,084 in 2007). From 2003 through 2006 this number was stable at roughly 38,000. The report cites new HIV reporting regulations in states and increased testing as the reason for the increase, but does not rule out that it may be due to an increase in new HIV infections.

AHF's Public Health Division offers mobile HIV testing and counseling services, non-traditional venue HIV testing at AHF's Out of the Closet® Thrift Stores, Men's Wellness Center, Bay Area outreach programs targeting high-risk populations and in Los Angeles County Jails. Tests are performed by trained and certified testers.