AFRO-NETS> Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report-Thu,11 Oct 2001

[Cecilia Snyder <csnyder@ccmc.org>]

Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report-Thu,11 Oct 2001 
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UNAIDS' 2001 World AIDS Campaign Focuses on Male Role in HIV Preven-
tion

UNAIDS has launched its World AIDS Campaign 2001, the second install-
ment in a two-year effort aiming to emphasize the role that men play 
in HIV prevention (Reuters Health, 10/8). The slogan of this year's 
campaign is "I care ... Do you?," a message that is featured on cam-
paign posters and in public service announcements (UNAIDS Web site, 
10/11). The campaign encourages men, especially young men, to ac-
tively participate in HIV prevention efforts by "valu[ing] their own 
health and that of their families and sexual partners."  To this end, 
the effort will seek to "challenge the negative stereotypes about 
masculinity" that might put men at risk for HIV transmission. Such 
stereotypes could include cultural norms that discourage men from 
seeking medical treatment when they are ill, thus preventing them 
from finding out their HIV status. UNAIDS Executive Director Dr. Pe-
ter Piot said, "Part of the effort to curb the AIDS epidemic must in-
clude challenging negative beliefs and behaviours, including the way 
men view risk and how boys are socialized to become men. Men are ex-
pected to be strong, robust and virile -- but these very expectations 
may translate into behaviours that can endanger both men and their 
partners." The campaign also encourages men to talk to their partners 
and children about sex and HIV and aims to inspire men to help take 
care of HIV-positive family members (Reuters Health, 10/8). In addi-
tion, the campaign tries to prompt government officials and other 
world leaders to "renew their commitment to HIV/AIDS" and voice their 
support for "unified action."  The campaign says that world leaders 
should speak about HIV/AIDS not only in political terms, but in per-
sonal terms as well (UNAIDS campaign Web site, 10/11). UNAIDS offi-
cials say that the campaign "complement[s]" similar HIV prevention 
campaigns aimed at women and girls (Reuters Health, 10/8). The theme 
of the World AIDS Campaign 2000 was "Men Make a Difference."

Campaign Materials

The campaign will spread its message through posters and public ser-
vice announcements. The posters feature a variety of public figures, 
including U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, actor Danny Glover, Bra-
zilian soccer star Ronaldo, pop star Ricky Martin and Swaziland's 
King Mswati III. The Pan American Health Organization, the Swiss AIDS 
Federation and the United Kingdom's National AIDS Trust have also 
produced posters to commemorate the campaign. MTV helped produce a 
number of PSAs that show young people discussing HIV/AIDS, and other 
PSAs include messages delivered by Danny Glover, Ronaldo and reggae 
group UB40 (UNAIDS Web site, 10/11). A UNAIDS Web site devoted to the 
campaign is available at http://www.unaids.org/wac/2001/index.html. 

The Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report is published for kaisernetwork.org, 
a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, by National 
Journal Group Inc. c 2001 by National Journal Group Inc. and Kaiser 
Family Foundation. All rights reserved.


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