Here Media launches new HIV awareness campaign

Here Media and HealthyWithHIV.com announced a new partnership today that creates a robust initiative combining in-book, online, and email promotions to encourage living healthy with HIV. The campaign includes an online video series titled “Ask the Doctor,” featuring popular doctor, author and health expert Dr. Frank Spinelli (The Advocate Guide to Gay Men’s Health and Wellness).

In addition to “Ask the Doctor,” the campaign’s digital component consists of online content, which promotes HIV medication adherence and living a healthy lifestyle. In addition, the campaign features an online community forum with a specialized question and answer section addressing specific concerns about the disease, as well as weekly columns by Dr. Spinelli focusing on everything from drug tolerability to holistic care.

Read more after the jump.


Dr. Spinelli’s “Ask the Doctor” video segment can be accessed through Advocate.com’s Health & Wellness channel. Each episode addresses current and relevant issues affecting the modern gay male. Subjects to be discussed include tolerability, treatment options, finding proper support networks after being diagnosed with HIV, locating a healthcare provider you can trust, navigating the dating world as an HIV-Positive male, fitness and supplements and much more.

An in-book promotional page will be featured in the November issue of The Advocate and HealthyWithHIV.com will sponsor both The Advocate and sister publication Out magazine’s bi-weekly email newsletters. In addition, online banner ads will run on Advocate.com, Out.com, HIVPlus.com and Gay.com. Capping off the digital campaign will be a virtual HIV/AIDS chat room, also hosted by Dr. Spinelli, on Advocate.com.

The partnership occurs while HIV pandemic remains a paramount concern to the LGBT community. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there was a 26% increase from 2004 to 2007 in estimated annual HIV diagnoses among men who have sex with men (MSM)—11% more than the national average. HIV diagnoses among MSM increased all four years of the analysis, with the largest increase coming in 2007.

“I am honored to be a part of a new initiative that helps to promote health and wellness for people living with HIV,” said Dr. Spinelli. “It is imperative that we are all fully aware of what steps can be taken in order to live our best, most dynamic lives, regardless of our HIV-status. We hope to inform, enlighten and entertain our audience in a way that helps them achieve a balanced and healthy lifestyle.”