Mexico launches antihomophobia campaign to fight HIV

Health officials in Mexico have unveiled a campaign to combat homophobia in the country to reduce the stigma associated with HIV antibody testing, The Christian Science Monitor reports. The campaign includes TV and radio advertisements currently being broadcast in 19 Mexican cities and slated for nationwide air time later this month. Health officials hope that by reducing the stigma around homosexuality, and debunking the myth that HIV affects only gay men, more Mexicans will be screened for HIV infection and those carrying the virus will be offered antiretroviral treatment. Mexican officials report nearly 94,000 HIV cases in the country, but the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS estimates that there are about 160,000 HIV-positive people living in Mexico.