January 13, 2012

CDC is now into its third year of the Act Against AIDS (AAA) campaign, and we want to take this opportunity to share with you some of the highlights of the first 2 years and the many exciting activities that are underway.

As you know, Act Against AIDS is a 5-year national communication campaign launched in 2009 by CDC and the White House to combat complacency about HIV and AIDS in the United States. In its first 2 years, the Act Against AIDS campaign, along with its targeted sub-campaigns and its many partners, generated more than 2.1 billion media impressions. The attached AAA Second Year-End Report provides additional highlights on the media campaigns, events, supporting research, and partnerships that have made the continued growth of AAA possible.

Act Against AIDS Campaigns

AAA comprises several HIV prevention campaigns and the Act Against AIDS Leadership Initiative (AAALI). Activities are focused on raising HIV and AIDS awareness among all Americans and reducing the risk of HIV infection among the hardest-hit populations. Although each campaign has its own goals and target audiences, all of the campaigns support the prevention-focused goals of CDC's Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention (DHAP) and the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS).

• Testing Makes Us Stronger
  Building on the previous campaign for black gay and bisexual men, called Know Where You Stand, the most recent Act Against AIDS campaign, Testing Makes Us Stronger, was launched nationally on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2011. This campaign is targeted to black gay and bisexual men, and stresses the importance of HIV testing so that individuals can learn their own HIV status, make more informed decisions about their own health care, and also take steps to protect their partners.
• Take Charge. Take the Test.
  CDC is currently working with local health departments in 10 cities throughout the United States to roll out the Take Charge. Take the Test. campaign to encourage HIV testing among African American women. This effort helps African American women recognize their risk of getting HIV and the need for HIV testing.
• Health Care Provider Campaigns
  In addition to campaigns for members of the public and persons at increased risk for HIV infection, Act Against AIDS developed the Prevention IS Care, HIV Screening. Standard Care., and One Test. Two Lives. campaigns to encourage health care professionals to incorporate HIV prevention counseling into routine health care, to screen their patients for HIV, and to provide resources for their patients living with HIV.

Key Partnerships

The Second Year-End Report highlights partner efforts that have been critical to the success of AAA by extending the reach of the campaign and its initiatives, including the Act Against AIDS Leadership Initiative (AAALI), Greater Than AIDS, and GBCHealth(formerly known as the Global Business on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria). For example, AAALI partners have conducted more than 1,000 HIV-related briefings, chapter trainings, workshops and outreach events that were attended by nearly 500,000 people. More than 13,000 attendees received HIV tests at one of these events. Additional partner outreach efforts are included in the report's timeline of 2010–2011 campaign partner activities.

Downloadable Campaign Materials

Act Against AIDS campaign materials are available for downloading and ordering for use in your local area. Materials include fact sheets, brochures, and posters as well as on-line resources such as website banners, badges, and buttons. Whether you want these important prevention messages to reach members of the public, persons at increased risk for HIV infection, those living with HIV and AIDS, health care providers, or other stakeholders, CDC has valuable resources you can use to Act Against AIDS. These materials can be found in the Campaign Materials section on www.actagainstaids.org.

Future Campaigns

In addition to the important campaigns and activities that CDC has underway through Act Against AIDS, several new campaigns targeted to groups at increased risk for HIV infection are in development. These new campaigns will further Act Against AIDS efforts to raise HIV/AIDS awareness and reduce the risk of HIV infection among the hardest-hit populations including gay and bisexual men of all races as well as Latinos. CDC looks forward to sharing information about these campaigns with you in the future.

For More Information

If you would like more information about the Act Against AIDS campaign and the Second Year-End Report, please visit www.actagainstaids.org.

Jonathan H. Mermin, M.D., M.P.H.
Director
Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention

Download the Report