I don’t get it. I do
not understand the argument that advertisements for medicines
to treat HIV are somehow contributing to the rise in HIV infections
by “encouraging” unsafe behavior.
I do not accept the argument
in part, because I do not believe individuals who are HIV
negative read the ads. If you are not HIV positive why read
the ads? I don’t read ads for drugs or products for which
I have no need, for example allergy medications or diabetic
supplies. Nor do I read ads for tampons.
As for the message and imagery
of the ads, do they really promote the idea that becoming
infected is a good thing? Much has changed since the FDA insisted
on a different emphasis. No longer does one see “buff,” “sexy”
women and men climbing mountains, sailing, running track,
or generally “looking hot and attractive.” So the argument
that Americans are so body-conscious that they run out and
become infected so they could be that mountain climber no
longer applies. Current drug ads show modestly dressed people
or no people at all. The ads may imply a better, healthier
life, but only compared to living with HIV without their product.
Where I do have criticism
with the ads is with the information provided to potential
users – to those of us who are HIV positive. Like all advertising,
they tend to downplay the bad aspects of the product, known
as side effects. While mention is made of the common side
effects they are not the headlines, but rather in the general
text of the ad. And the ads could be more assertive that the
medications do not cure HIV or prevent transmission. (Such
a statement is present in all ads making specific claims,
but it could be made more prominent.)
I think the attacks on drug
ads as promoting unsafe behavior is born out of frustration.
Those of us in the HIV industry and in public health are frustrated
with the continued level of new infections in this country.
Prevention efforts seem to be failing or missing the target.
And there is a long standing reluctance to point a finger
of blame at either the HIV positive person who took part in
the risky behavior that infected someone or at the person
who was negative and who put themselves at risk.
Most HIV infections in this
country occur between two consenting, willing adults. Both
of whom decided to engage in the risky behavior. Both of whom
decided to not accept their responsibility for stopping this
disease. The HIV positive persons did not accept their responsibility
of minimizing the exposure of others to the virus. The previously
HIV negative persons ignored their responsibility of minimizing
their chance to be exposed to the virus.
The reasons for each person’s
actions are many and often complex. And once done, many seek
to rationalize why they did it. But, like most of our actions,
in the end we are responsible for what we do. To blame the
unwillingness on “misleading” drug ads is to say “I am not
responsible for my actions, for actions I now regret.” It
is yet another way to avoid accepting personal responsibility.
If someone you find attractive
were to ask you to play Russian roulette with them, would
you hand them the pistol with one bullet in the six or seven
chambers? Would you spin the chambers and then pull the trigger?
Would you allow them to do this to you? Unprotected sex and
sharing syringes are similar to Russian roulette. How do you
know when your luck is going to run out and that penis or
vagina or needle will be “loaded” with HIV? How do you know
you did not infect your partner?
Moving on…
As of the end of June I have
left TPAN. My nine years with the agency have been an incredible
experience for me. I feel very fortunate to have worked with
a tremendous staff and to have met so many wonderful people.
And I am very proud of TPAN. I am proud that TPAN continues
to believe in peer-led services and information sharing. I
am proud that TPAN has maintained a focus on HIV services.
I am proud that through this publication, and its sister publication,
Positively Aware en Español, TPAN is a national resource
for persons living with HIV. And I am proud that through a
wide variety of services, TPAN is a vital resource to people
living in Chicago.
Dennis Hartke
Executive Director
Thoughts, comments, reactions?
Write me at
ed@tpan.com
