Sharing Photos to Reduce HIV Stigma

Part of the AIDS.gov KnowledgeSite

According to the Pew Internet & American Life Project, online photo sharing is on the rise. The research organization reported that 37-percent of online adults have uploaded photos online to share with friends, family, and colleagues. In addition, Facebook, reported that users upload more than 800 million photos per month in mid-2009.

AIDS.gov recommends using photo sharing to engage, connect, listen, and learn from volunteers, patients, and colleagues. They also recommend photo sharing for disseminating information about HIV-related events such as fundraisers and educational activities.

Key Activities:

AIDS.gov used photo sharing as part of World AIDS Day. The agency used their World AIDS Day 08 Flickr page and their Facebook and Myspace pages to promote the Facing AIDS campaign. The campaign called for individuals to post photos of themselves wearing a red ribbon on World AIDS Day. The campaign’s goal is to reduce HIV stigma.

Results:

179 photos were posted on the World AIDS Day ‘08 Flickr page, and the group page also hosted conversations about HIV and other World AIDS Day events. The Facing AIDS Facebook Group grew to 722 members, and the associated event had 459 confirmed participants.

Industry:

Healthcare

Primary Communications Discipline:

Public Relations

Organizations Involved:

AIDS.gov

Campaign Dates:

December, 2008

For More Information:

Photo Sharing Sites. AIDS.gov blog. January 2009. http://blog.aids.gov/downloads/toolkit_photoSharing.pdf
Daily Pennsylvanian article by Jessica Bell. January 8, 2008. http://media.www.dailypennsylvanian.com/media/storage/paper882/news/2008/01/18/News/Online.VideoSharing.On.The.Rise-3157836.shtml
The Audience for Online Video-Sharing Sites Shoots Up. Pew Internet and American Life Project. July 29, 2009. http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/13--The-Audience-for-Online-VideoSharing-Sites-Shoots-Up.aspx

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