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Surviving & Thriving: AIDS, Politics, and Culture

HIV Testing

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HIV testing scared the hell out of me, I found out knowing is better than not knowing, 1990s

How do you motivate someone to take a test that might reveal that they have a terminal illness? This campaign addressed the fear directly, stressing the benefits of early diagnosis and support resources available, including the opportunity to receive information anonymously. Testing campaigns gained traction as medical research proved and continues to prove that knowing one’s HIV status early means more successful treatment options that potentially prolong a patient’s life.

  • Publisher(s):
    Burroughs Wellcome
  • Type:
    Poster
African American man sitting at the end of a long park bench, underneath is a small inset of an African American man on a bicycle smiling.
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    “HIV testing scared the hell out of me.”

    “I found out knowing is better than not knowing.”

    Every day, more and more people are learning to live with HIV. People are finding ways to stay healthier, strengthen their immune systems, develop positive attitudes. They've found that proper diet, moderate exercise, even stress management can help. And now, early medical intervention could put time on your side.

    Today, HIV positive doesn’t mean you have to give up. So, the sooner you take control, the better. For more information on living with HIV, we urge you to call the number below…anonymously, if you wish.

    1-800-HIV-INFO LIVING WITH HIV. THE SOONER YOU TAKE CONTROL THE BETTER

    Brought to you as a public service by the Health Information Network; and American Academy of Dermatology, American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of General Practitioners in Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, American Osteopathic Association, American Social Health Association, National Association of People with AIDS, and Burroughs Wellcome Co.

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