Brazil's HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns and social program utilization

AIDS Awareness in Brazil

When it comes to AIDS and HIV related diseases, no country can be considered lucky. Yet Brazil's efforts to combat the disease have so far been hugely successful in relative terms, with half the predicted number of HIV cases present in the 1990s than had been predicted, and a stabilized number of HIV infections for much of the current decade (Pembrey, 2009). Much of the success of the current marketing campaign is attributed to the availability and heavy promotion of free HIV testing centers throughout the country, especially in the crowded cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro (Pembrey, 2009). At the same time, Brazil still has a higher incidence of AIDS and HIV than neighboring countries, and remains the epicenter of AIDS in South America (U.S. AID, 2008).

The confluence of these two contexts suggests that current marketing is working, yet needs to be ramped up for increased efficacy. Some plans are already underway to increase awareness of the disease, its effects and ease of prevention (Plan UK, 2008). Future efforts, however, should focus on awareness of social programs currently available in Brazil. Resources currently available in the country are not being full utilized, and increased awareness of testing and treatment could prove especially beneficial in combating the disease there (Pembrey, 2009).