We are excited to announce the release of Positive Spin, a digital educational tool that uses the power of personal stories and video to raise awareness about the HIV care continuum and to encourage people living with HIV to get into treatment. The HIV.gov team worked with our Federal colleagues, healthcare professionals, people living with HIV, and community-based HIV organizations to develop this project, and we are very proud of the result.Positive Spin chronicles the true stories of five black, gay men who are living with HIV, and who have successfully navigated the continuum. Their personal narratives chart the course between their initial diagnosis with HIV and the final stage of the continuum—achieving viral suppression—which means that medication and treatment have helped them get their HIV disease under control.

A major part of HIV.gov’s mission is to help our colleagues and stakeholders learn how to use digital tools to extend the reach of their work

The project also showcases the importance of offering content and videos in a format that is easy to use on mobile devices—and it supports President Obama’s HIV Care Continuum Initiative, the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, and the Digital Government Strategy.

Ultimately, we hope that Positive Spin will reinforce efforts by the HIV community—Federal, state, and local—to engage new audiences and counter the misconceptions, stigma, and discrimination that continue to create significant barriers to HIV testing and treatment for all populations.

We invite you to explore the Positive Spin site for yourself. In addition to the videos, the project features user-friendly information about the HIV care continuum, including easy-to-understand infographics and links to Federal resources. To learn more:

• Visit Positive Spin at https://positivespin.hiv.gov for additional information about the HIV care continuum.
• Join the conversation about Positive Spin on social media using #mypositivespinExit Disclaimer.
• Use the project videos and other materials for HIV/AIDS Awareness Day observances and for your HIV testing, care, retention, and treatment work.
• Share your own story or perspective by contacting: contact@hiv.gov. Use the phrase “Positive Spin” in the subject line.

Please share your impressions of Positive Spin—and tell us about your own digital tools or storytelling projects.