Fighting Another Epidemic in Allegheny County

PrEP Billboard ad. Artwork used with permission of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. and The Andy Warhol Museum. Andy Warhol, Oxidation, 1978 The Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh; Founding Collection, Contribution The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. 1998.1.213

Since 2015, AIDS Free Pittsburgh has worked to eliminate the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Allegheny County. As the initiative prepares to enter a second phase, AIDS Free Pittsburgh is launching a city-wide awareness campaign about PrEP, and they're asking the community for input about how to end the epidemic.

Partnering with The Andy Warhol Museum and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, AIDS Free Pittsburgh launched a city-wide ad campaign on buses and digital outlets. The beautiful array of ads features some of The Andy Warhol Museum's artwork, and it celebrates the freedom that comes with taking PrEP and reinforces the importance of HIV testing and effective HIV treatment. PrEP, short for "Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis," is a daily medication that can prevent HIV transmission by over 90%, when used properly. PrEP is prescribed to individuals who are HIV-negative, but who may be at risk for contracting the virus.

In addition to the public awareness campaign, AIDS Free Pittsburgh is currently seeking community input about how the community can work together to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Allegheny County. The information collected in this anonymous online survey will be used to inform the project's strategic direction over the next five years (2021-2025). All Allegheny County residents are encouraged to participate. The survey can be taken at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AFP2020survey.

In order to make this survey accessible to more community members, additional versions of the survey are available in the following languages: Spanish, Arabic, Nepali, and Simplified Chinese.

AIDS Free Pittsburgh is also looking for partner organizations to share the survey with populations that they serve. If you represent a local organization that is interested in helping with this effort, or would like to recommend an organization, please contact Julia Och at och@jhf.org or 412-586-6706. AIDS Free Pittsburgh is financially supported by the Allegheny Singer Research Institute (AHN) and UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside and is managed by the Jewish Healthcare Foundation.