AIDS Foundation of Chicago “Change My Story” Campaign Debuts Smartphone-Driven Ads

Smartphone-Driven Ads to Connect People to HIV Prevention and Care Services

To
mark National HIV Testing Day, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC)
debuted a series of smartphone-driven bus shelter ads on the South and
West Sides of Chicago to
help African Americans connect to HIV testing and care services.

The
larger-than-life ads, featuring community ambassadors, are part of the agency’s community-level educational campaign, known as
Change My Story, designed to inspire communities of color to connect to life-extending health care services. A

2010 report
from the Pew Research Center on technology trends indicated
African-Americans boast the highest rates of any demographic group when
it comes to interacting with the community via text message
and other non-traditional platforms.

Change My Story
is about empowering people to take control of their life and health,
with respect to HIV/AIDS and all life-changing illnesses,” said David
Ernesto Munar,
AFC President and CEO. “Nowadays it seems people rarely go anywhere
without their cell phone. But it’s actually more than a phone – it’s a
lifeline to testing, care and support.”

 

The
smartphone-driven bus shelter ads feature scannable “quick response”
(QR) codes to instantly direct mobile users to videos from community
ambassadors and to the HIV testing
and care website, ChangeMyStory.org. The videos are
It Gets Better-style testimonials from young Black men, women,
clergy, and members of the “ball community,” a dynamic LBGT subculture
in which individuals compete for prizes and respect by “walking” or
“vogueing.”

Change My Story asks individuals to “join the movement” in three distinct ways:

 Say yes to the test. It’s about getting tested for HIV/AIDS, but also other diseases that can steal moments from your life (hypertension, high cholesterol, hepatitis, diabetes, and cancer). Make your health a priority and experience more of the moments in life that are important to you.


 Connect to care. ChangeMyStory.org will help you connect to care services that are right for you and the experts who can help. Find out what you need to know to take control – whether or not you have health insurance.

 

Spread the word. Each one, reach one. Spread the word to your friends and family. Encourage them to take control of their own health – like you did.

For more information, visit aidschicago.org.

 

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