OraQuick Launches “Make Knowing Your Thing Today” Campaign to Promote the Importance of Knowing Your HIV Status.
OraSure Technologies, maker of the OraQuick In-Home HIV Test, has launched a nationwide campaign to encourage everyone to learn their HIV status. The campaign, “Make Knowing Your Thing Today,” asks people across the country to share their story about their decision to test for HIV. The awareness campaign is part of an integrated national marketing program that includes events as well as national and local radio, outdoor advertising, television, print and digital advertising.
The OraQuick In-Home HIV Test is the first ever in-home rapid infectious disease test made available directly to consumers. Launched in October 2012, the test detects antibodies to both HIV-1 and HIV-2 with an oral swab, providing a confidential in-home testing option with results in as little as 20 minutes. It is available in most national drugstore and mass merchandiser retail outlets nationwide and online at OraQuick.com.
OraQuick has launched the “Make Knowing Your Thing Today” campaign to encourage people to take the important step toward learning their HIV status. The campaign features a contest, which asks participants to submit a short video or photo with caption at www.OraQuick.com/knowing, to share their story about why they decided to get tested for HIV.
“HIV/AIDS continues to be one of the most significant health crises facing America today,” says Douglas A. Michels, president and CEO of OraSure Technologies. “Knowing your HIV status is the best thing for everyone, regardless of age, race or sexual orientation. It has never been easier than now with our OraQuick In-Home HIV Test, which empowers people to test in the comfort and privacy of their own home.”
Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) represent approximately 2% of the U.S. population, yet this group is most severely affected by HIV, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). HIV/AIDS is a serious public health issue for this group, in which HIV infections continue to grow – risky sexual behavior being the most common gateway to new infections.
Additionally, the New York City Commission on HIV/AIDS has reported that New York City leads the nation in the number of new HIV cases, and almost 4,000 New Yorkers will be infected this year. The Commission has also reported that, in the first half of 2011, one-third of new HIV/AIDS diagnoses among males were young men aged 20-29.
To ensure optimal support for individuals using the OraQuick In-Home HIV Test, OraSure offers live support and comprehensive referral services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year, through a toll-free support center and comprehensive consumer website at www.oraquick.com.
The OraQuick Support Center is staffed with highly trained, bilingual (English/Spanish) representatives who are available by telephone at (866) 436-6527 to answer questions about HIV/AIDS and using and interpreting the test. They also provide referrals to follow-up and care, and can take orders for the OraQuick In-Home HIV Test. Additionally, the website provides access to resources and referral to follow-up counseling, confirmatory testing and medical care.
