Sign in Subscribe
AIDS (Disease)

Entertainment Industry and CDC Collaborate on HIV/AIDS Prevention

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

In a conference convened by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, entertainment industry executives and academic experts urged the CDC to request regular airing of condom ads on network television, citing research that consistently shows condom use dramatically decreases HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted disease risks. The conference focused on using entertainment-education for HIV/AIDS prevention, recommending that the entertainment industry advise the CDC on resource allocation to educate the public on prevention. Other recommendations included establishing a formalized Health Communications function and an Entertainment Industry Liaison to support education-entertainment efforts.

Key Takeaways:

  • The conference convened by the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia, involved entertainment industry executives and academic experts to discuss HIV/AIDS prevention.
  • CDC officials and advisors agreed that the primary role of the CDC in this area should be to provide technical assistance, not creative content development.
  • Specific recommendations included assisting in creating entertainment-education programs, giving awards to recognize outstanding efforts, and providing scientific guidelines on the issue.
  • Notable experts participating in the conference represented organizations such as Hollywood Supports, the Entertainment Industries Council Inc. (EIC), HBO, and the Peabody Awards.
  • Future collaboration between Hollywood Supports and EIC is set to begin, aiming to encourage the depiction of HIV/AIDS prevention messages in television shows.
  • Entertainment-education efforts were envisioned to include workplace initiatives, depiction suggestions, and the use of messages about HIV/AIDS prevention.
  • The proposed Entertainment Industry Liaison will work in partnership with existing industry AIDS and health information efforts, such as Hollywood Supports and the EIC.
  • Recommendations also included forming a speaker's bureau, funding co-production and ancillary projects, and providing support to producers with entertainment-education projects.

Statistics:

  • Consistent condom use decreases the risk associated with HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases dramatically.
  • The Entertainment Industries Council Inc. (EIC) has existing initiatives and programs related to HIV/AIDS awareness and AIDS and health information.
  • 100% of participating experts agreed that the primary role of the CDC in entertainment-education should be technical assistance.

Sources:

  • U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conference in Atlanta, Georgia.
  • Hollywood Supports Executive Director Richard Jennings.
  • EIC President Brian Dyak.
  • HBO Vice President for Special Projects Sheila Shayon.
  • National Cable Television Association Chief Counsel Daniel Brenner.
  • Peabody Awards Director Professor Barry Sherman.
  • MEE Productions President Ivan J. Juzang.
  • "Entertainment Industry and CDC Collaborate on HIV/AIDS Prevention" (Exact text as it appears, including formatting if applicable).

Read more