BWA launches “Testing Makes Us Stronger” Campaign

This World AIDS Day, Better World Advertising launched “Testing Makes Us Stronger," a new national HIV testing campaign. The campaign is particularly poignant because this year marks the 30th anniversary of the first reports of HIV/AIDS.

“Testing Makes Us Stronger” was developed by BWA in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with the goal of promoting HIV testing among Black gay and bisexual men, who are experiencing a sharp increase in rates of HIV infection. “Testing Makes Us Stronger” aims to demonstrate that knowing your HIV status is important and empowering information. Testing is crucial to ending the epidemic because people who know their HIV status can take steps to protect themselves and their partners. Those who test positive can take advantage of lifesaving medications that can also reduce the likelihood of transmitting the virus.

The campaign’s bold images and messages were developed with input from Black gay and bisexual men across the country. A 19-member panel of expert consultants consisting of Black gay and bisexual community leaders worked with BWA and CDC to develop the campaign. More than 400 men in five U.S. cities helped refine the messages which are featured in ads in national publications and websites, as well as local outdoor, transit and print media in select cities experiencing high levels of HIV infection in Black gay and bisexual men.

To learn more about “Testing Makes Us Stronger”, please visit www.hivtest.org/stronger