NCJ Number
116102
Date Published
1988
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This review examined primarily budgetary and operational aspects of the National AIDS Information and Education Program.
Abstract
Although the budget for AIDS education increased significantly between fiscal 1985 and 1988, efforts to focus national attention on AIDS prevention were impaired by slow implementation of the key activities aimed at the general public. In July 1987, plans for a nationwide mass mailing of AIDS information were abandoned because of lack of clearance from the White House Domestic Policy Council. After Congress mandated the mailing, it was finally conducted in June 1988. Although 38 public service announcements were produced and distributed to major networks, television networks were slow to air these and aired them infrequently and during nonprime-time viewing hours. Although the AIDS telephone hotline was raised from 17 to 68 lines, hotline access was still difficult at times. Busy signal rates ranged from 38 to 65 percent in late 1987, and 7 percent in 1988, with higher rates after airing of public service announcements. AIDS pamphlets also were on occasion not distributed in a timely manner. Other activities aimed at the public included radio and print announcements, briefings, and public meetings and forums. These varied in scope and timing. More detailed information on the review is appended.