Greater Than AIDS is an unprecedented collaboration among a broad coalition of public and private sector partners united in the response to the AIDS crisis in the United States, in particular the severe and disproportionate epidemic among Black Americans and other heavily affected groups. Through a national media campaign and targeted community outreach, Greater Than AIDS aims to increase knowledge and understanding about HIV/AIDS and confront the stigma surrounding the disease.

Major media companies are working together to distribute Greater Than AIDS public service ads and related content.  Special promotions provide more in-depth coverage.  The National Basketball Association and Walgreens are among the corporate partners that put power of their brands and extensive reach behind Greater Than AIDS.  State and local health departments and AIDS offices, AIDS service organizations and other community groups developing targeted efforts to reach priority groups and locals.  Corporate partners are helping to cross promote and extend the reach of the media campaign. 

Greater Than AIDS is about the power of individuals acting together to achieve a greater goal- in this case, reducing the spread of HIV.  By stressing unity, hope and empowerment, Greater Than AIDS inspires each and every one of us- in our relationships, families and communities- to do our part to stem HIV/AIDS by:

> Being informed                                > Using condoms
> Acting with respect                           > Getting tested--and treated as needed
> Speaking openly                              > Getting involved 

The second phase of the Greater Than AIDS national media campaign launched in the fall of 2011 builds on the creative of year one, which introduced the brand and the idea of being "greater than" HIV/AIDS. Themed around Deciding Moments, the campaign draws on real life exeriences -- including from people living with HIV/AIDS -- to highlight the everyday choices we can make to change the course of this disease, be it getting tested, using protection, correcting a piece of misinformation, or keeping up with one's treatment regimen. The idea of "Deciding Moments" may also be considered on a higher societal level, prepresenting a moment in time when we as a community can make a collective decision to change the course of this epidemic. For more about the Deciding Moments campaign click here.

Today in the United States, there are more than 1.1 million people living with HIV, more than at any time in the three decade long history of the epidemic.  According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated one in five of these individuals does not know they are infected, and only one in four has their virus under control with ongoing treatment.  

Although HIV can and does affect all people, certain communities and populations have been disproportionately affected.  Black Americans and gay men, in particular, are two groups that have been particularly hard hit.   This epidemic has touched many lives.   A Kaiser Family Foundation survey finds that about half of Americans now know someone living with HIV or who has died from AIDS.

While there is not yet a cure, HIV is preventable– and early diagnosis and treatment can dramatically improve and extend the lives of who are infected. Treatment also plays a significant role in prevention.  New research confirms that persons with HIV can significantly reduce the chances –by as much as 96%-of passing the virus to sexual partners when on antiretroviral medications. 

By confronting the misconceptions and stigma that keep people from taking actions – such as talking openly, using protection, getting tested and adhering to treatment – it is possible to stem the spread of HIV and reduce the devastating  effects of the disease.

• Fact Sheet: The HIV/AIDS Epidemic in the United States
• Fact Sheet: Black Americans and HIV/AIDS
• Fact Sheet: Latinos and HIV/AIDS
• Fact Sheet: Women and HIV/AIDS in the United States
• Fact Sheet: HIV Testing in the United States
  

 Greater Than AIDS is developed in support of Act Against AIDS, a multi-year effort by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help refocus attention on HIV/AIDS in the U.S.  The Kaiser Family Foundation- a leader in health communications- provides strategic direction and day-to-day management as well as oversees the production of the media campaign.  The Black AIDS Institute is a founding partner, providing leadership and technical assistance.  Additional financial and substantive support is provided by the Ford Foundation, Elton John AIDS Foundation and MAC AIDS. 

• National Survey of Teens and Young Adults on HIV/AIDS
• Greater Than AIDS Reach and Response Among Black Americans in 13 Priority Markets
• AIDS in Gay America Focus Group Report
• National Focus Group Report
  
• Focus Group Report: Atlanta
  
• Focus Group Report: Chicago
• Focus Group Report: Oakland
  

• Media Fact Sheet: Fighting HIV among African Americans, A Heightened Media Response (CDC)
• Campaign Brief: Act Against AIDS: Refocusing National Attention on the HIV Crisis in the United States (CDC)
• Survey: 2009 Survey of Americans on HIV/AIDS (KFF)
• Report: Left Behind, Black America: A Neglected Priority in the Global AIDS Epidemic (Black AIDS Institute)