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The disclosure of celebrity HIV infection: its effects on public attitudes.

S C Kalichman and T L Hunter

Medical College of Wisconsin, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Sciences, Milwaukee 53226.

OBJECTIVES. Despite the magnitude of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic, studies have shown low levels of public concern about human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS. We investigated the effects of celebrity disclosure of HIV infection on the AIDS-related perceptions of urban men. METHODS. Measures of AIDS-related perceptions were collected from 361 men waiting for mass transportation in downtown Chicago; 252 were assessed at three time points prior to and 109 were assessed at two time points after professional basketball star Earvin "Magic" Johnson's disclosure of his HIV infection. RESULTS. Significant increases in concern about AIDS, interest in AIDS information, and talking with friends about AIDS occurred after celebrity disclosure of HIV infection. CONCLUSIONS. Celebrity disclosure of HIV seropositivity demonstrated a marked change in AIDS-related perceptions among the men surveyed. Changes in awareness due to celebrity disclosure may lead to increased readiness to reduce risk and could be viewed as a window of opportunity for HIV prevention efforts.

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