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Surviving & Thriving: AIDS, Politics, and Culture

HIV Testing

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I can’t afford to be sick, can you?, 1980s-1990s

In 1998, the Supreme Court ruled that HIV/AIDS fell under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The decision protected people with AIDS in their workplaces; until then, testing positive for HIV might mean losing one’s job and health insurance.

  • Publisher(s):
    AIDS Health Project
  • Type:
    Poster
Black and white photograph of an Asian American man in a leather jacket looking at the viewer.

A group of concerned mental health and medical professionals in San Francisco formed the AIDS Health Project (AHP) to support a growing community of people who needed emotional and psychological support as well as medical treatment. The AHP provided crucial, groundbreaking support in getting people tested: the organization offered the first large-scale testing programs along with resources to help people manage either a positive or negative result. This campaign used frank, simply put descriptions of the multiple costs of not knowing one’s HIV status, stressing the financial, personal, and family consequences of remaining ignorant.

Choose from the group
  • Black and white photograph of an African American man looking at the viewer.
  • Black and white photograph of a toddler looking at the viewer holding a toy.
  • Black and white photograph of a white woman holding a toddler, the toddler is looking at the viewer.
  • Black and white photograph of an Asian American man in a leather jacket looking at the viewer.
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    I Can’t Afford To Be Sick. Can You?

    don’t take chances. The HIV virus that causes AIDS can be a killer. If you already have the virus, treatment will keep you healthy. If you don’t have it, you can make sure you don’t get it.

    Call today for a blood test. It’s free. It’s painless.They won’t even ask your name. Bilingual counselors are there to help. No one needs to know. Only you.

    You can’t afford to be sick.

    don’t wait.

    AIDS HEALTH PROJECT Call today. 415-621-4858

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