TalkAIDS: A&PI Wellness Center Launches a New Anti-Stigma Campaign With International Star Joan Chen

TalkAIDS: A&PI Wellness Center Launches a New Anti-Stigma Campaign With International Star Joan Chen

SAN FRANCISCO, June 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following a study indicating that strong attitudes against people living with HIV/AIDS exist in the Chinese community, Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center has developed a new ad campaign called "TalkAIDS" to address this issue of stigma in the Chinese community.

Joan Chen generously donated her time to film a new public service announcement for the TalkAIDS campaign, where she asks "Don't think AIDS has a voice? Well it does, and often, it is silent." She continues, "Now is the time to talk to your family and friends about AIDS. I am going to talk to someone about AIDS, how about you?"

As Ms. Chen states, often the voice of AIDS is silent: Of the 303 participants who responded to the A&PI Wellness Center study, nearly half said that people living with HIV should not be able to work in public schools, and over sixty percent (60%) of respondents said that people living with HIV should not be allowed to handle food in restaurants or work with patients in hospitals.

The ad will be aired in the San Francisco and Boston media markets. It is specifically targeted to the younger Chinese community, and is in both English and Mandarin, with Traditional Chinese subtitles. TalkAIDS aims to reduce HIV-related stigma and discrimination within the Chinese community as a whole, while simultaneously increasing access to HIV prevention, testing services, and treatment of HIV/AIDS.

Both versions of the ads are available for viewing on the TalkAIDS website at http://www.apiwellness.org/talkaids.html, or on DVD by contacting A&PI Wellness Center.

ABOUT TALKAIDS

TalkAIDS is a partnership between A&PI Wellness Center and MAP for Health of Boston, MA. Both non-profit agencies work for the improvement of A&PI individuals at-risk for, or are living with HIV/AIDS. TalkAIDS is made possible with a grant by the Ford Foundation through Academy for Educational Development.

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Source: Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center

CONTACT: David Stupplebeen of Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center,
+1-415-292-3400 x 361, +1-415-292-3404 (fax), das@apiwellness.org

Web Site: http://www.apiwellness.org/

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Profile: International Entertainment