HHS launches digital storytelling to increase HIV treatment
The Department of Health and Human Services has released Positive Spin, a digital educational tool that uses personal storytelling to promote the importance of getting people with HIV into treatment. The project was developed by AIDS.gov with input from federal agencies, healthcare professionals, persons living with HIV and community-based HIV organizations.
Positive Spin features the personal experiences of five HIV-positive, gay black men who have successfully navigated the HIV care continuum, from diagnosis to treatment and, ultimately, to viral suppression, which helps those with HIV stay healthy, live longer and dramatically reduce their chances of passing the virus to others.
Black gay and bisexual men are disproportionately affected by the domestic HIV epidemic. And, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, estimates that, in 2011, 86 percent of HIV-infected individuals in the United States were diagnosed, but only 40 percent were retained in care, and only 30 percent achieved the ultimate goal of viral suppression. Positive Spin is part of a comprehensive federal effort to increase the proportion of HIV-positive individuals who are diagnosed, treated and virally suppressed.
Federal, state and local agencies use data on the HIV care continuum to identify gaps in HIV services, develop strategies to improve engagement in care, determine how best to prioritize and target available resources, and monitor progress in their response to HIV.
Positive Spin is specifically designed to provide information that is easily readable on a mobile device. The video stories are accompanied by user-friendly information about the care continuum, including easy-to-understand infographics and links to federal resources.
Positive Spin supports President Obama’s HIV Care Continuum Initiative, the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, and the Digital Government Strategy.
Editor
Editor Beth earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s in health communication. She has worked in hospital, academic and publishing settings over the past 20 years. Beth joined TriMed in 2005, as editor of CMIO and Clinical Innovation + Technology. When not covering all things related to health IT, she spends time with her husband and three children.