Erie County HIV Task Force Billboard Campaign

from Lisa Szymanski BSN, RN | Public Health Nurse

As a member of the Erie County HIV Task Force, I can think of no better time to talk about HIV prevention than as World AIDS Day approaches. The theme for World AIDS Day this year is "Know Your Status"!

The task force is a collaboration of local organizations and individuals dedicated to educating, supporting, and advocating for people living with HIV/AIDS and preventing the spread of infection.

We have been diligently working to develop a plan to increase awareness of this preventable disease. Keep an eye out for 6 billboards sponsored by the Erie County Department of Health. These billboards offer information about HIV and STD prevention strategies happening in our community: (1) promotion of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), (2) FREE condoms, and (3) FREE testing sites in our community.

The billboards announce our new Erie County HIV Task Force website: echiv.org. The website offers information regarding free and confidential STD and HIV testing. There are multiple testing locations in Erie County, making it easy to know your status! The task force also manages the condom distribution program with an ever growing list of businesses and organizations distributing free condoms. Click here for information about testing and condom locations near you.

The final billboard promotes PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, which helps HIV-negative adults greatly reduce their risk of infection. This medication is taken once a day and if used correctly, reduces the risk of HIV infection from sex by more than 90% or higher if combined with other risk reducing behaviors.

We hope these billboards get people talking and asking questions, to each other and to their doctors. For more information, contact Lisa Szymanski BSN, RN at 814-451-6714 or Laura Beckes, BS, CHES at 814-451-6786 at the Erie County Department of Health.

Photos

Also view photos here.