State Governments’ Response to the AIDS Crisis: An Advertising Perspective

Abstract

AIDS in the United Slates may be the most urgent public health issue facing public policy makers today. Since there is currently no chemical cure or vaccine for the AIDS virus, the only weapons available for prevention are public information and education. This study assesses the role of advertising in disseminating information during the AIDS crisis by interviewing the state AIDS coordinators in each of the 48 contiguous United States. The results of the study summarize what the states are currently doing with their AIDS advertising campaigns. Additionally, state AIDS coordinators’ perceptions are presented on advertising's role during the AIDS crisis, and what can be done to improve current AIDS advertising campaigns. Finally, implications for public policy makers are discussed.