AIDS.gov Project

"Using a Blog to Facilitate an Online Conversation about Using New Media Tools in Response to HIV/AIDS"

An estimated 162 million US adults have gone online to look for health information¹, and approximately 57 million US adults read blogs². Given this, JSI's US DHHS-funded AIDS.gov project launched a blog (http://blog.AIDS.gov) in January 2008 as a vehicle to share information, and learn from and engage with Federal and community-based partners about using new media tools in response to the HIV epidemic.

Each week the AIDS.gov blog team writes about a specific new media tool (such as podcasts, mobile applications, wikis, blogs, social networking sites, virtual worlds, etc.) and other broader topics such as 508 compliance and accessibility. The posts often include information from interviews with leading new media experts and HIV/AIDS providers, and links to additional resources. The blog team brings together public health, new media, health communication, and government perspectives.

To date (September 9, 2008), nearly 6,000 people from across the US have visited the blog and more than 180 comments have been submitted. One person wrote, "Thanks for sharing this information with the HIV/AIDS community, great compilation. As a gay American, it's a community close to my heart, so I'm pleased that there is a place for many others in the community to benefit from what you learned." The AIDS.gov team also monitors the "blogosphere" to learn what other bloggers are saying about the AIDS.gov blog.

The AIDS.gov team has learned many lessons since launching the blog. The process of writing, marketing, and evaluating the blog, has been just as valuable for the team as the end product. However, blogging takes time and commitment, especially given the need to develop new content each week (because it is a government blog, each post goes through clearance). The AIDS.gov blog team has learned that having multiple contributors and perspectives working on the blog are beneficial, but require tight coordination. Most importantly, the team has learned that having a blog can help facilitate transparency, relationships, credibility, and dialogue with diverse audiences.

Learn more about the AIDS.gov blog.

For more information, please contact us.

¹ Harris Interactive Inc., "Adults Who Have Ever Gone Online for Health Information" (July 31, 2007). Accessed on 7/10/08.

² Pew Internet and American Life project, "Bloggers: A portrait of the internet's new storytellers" (July 19, 2006). Accessed on 7/10/08.