World AIDS Campaign Again to Focus on Men's Roles in 2002

Men's roles in the spread of HIV/AIDS will continue to be the focus of the World AIDS Campaign and World AIDS Day on Dec. 1. The theme of the second year of the campaign will be "I care . . . Do you?" Dr. Peter Piot, executive director of UNAIDS, said the World AIDS Campaign is trying to chip away at masculine behaviors and attitudes that contribute to the spread of HIV. Organizers said the campaign is seeking to involve men, particularly young men, more fully in the effort against AIDS. The campaign also aims to bring more focus on the role of men in national responses to the epidemic and to involve leaders, both as politicians and as individuals, in taking action against AIDS.

Goals of the campaign include working with men to ensure that HIV is not brought into their families; to care for those infected; to talk to partners about sex and HIV prevention; to educate their children about sexual health; and to take leadership in both the political and family arenas. The campaign encourages men to take better care of their health, Piot said. "With a few exceptions, men have a lower life expectancy than women, and more men than women are living with HIV -- although women are fast catching up," Piot said. "Focusing the campaign on men also acknowledges the fact that men are often less likely to seek health care than women."

Organizers said the focus on men can help enhance the status of women by empowering them to have greater control over their sexual and reproductive lives. The World AIDS Campaign will provide materials to local and national organizations to help them plan their own "I care . . . Do you?" campaigns while responding to local priorities. Celebrities including actor Danny Glover are assisting in providing public-service announcements for the campaign. More information is available www.unaids.org.

Back to other CDC news for November 7, 2001

Previous Updates